Silicone hydrogels comprising n-vinyl amides and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamides

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a reactive mixture comprising at least one silicone-containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, and at least one diluent to form an ophthalmic device having an advancing contact angle of less than about 80°; and contacting the ophthalmic device with an aqueous extraction solution at an elevated extraction temperature, wherein said at least one diluent has a boiling point at least about 10° higher than said extraction temperature.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/579,693, filed on Dec. 23, 2011 entitled SILICONE HYDROGELSCOMPRISING N-VINYL AMIDES AND HYDROXYALKYL (METH)ACRYLATES OR(METH)ACRYLAMIDES, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/579,683, filed on Dec. 23, 2011 entitled SILICONE HYDROGELS HAVING ASTRUCTURE FORMED VIA CONTROLLED REACTION KINETICS, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to silicone hydrogels comprising n-vinylamides and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soft contact lenses made from silicone hydrogels contact lenses offerimproved oxygen permeability as compared to soft lenses made fromnon-silicone materials such as poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA).Initial efforts to make silicone hydrogel contact lenses were hamperedby the poor wettability, high modulus, poor clarity, hydrolyticinstability or the high cost of raw materials used to make many of thesesilicone hydrogels. While various solutions have proven somewhatsuccessful for each of these deficiencies, there remains a need forsilicone hydrogels that can be made from inexpensive commerciallyavailable monomers, and which have excellent wettability (without theneed for surface modification), low modulus, good clarity, andhydrolytic stability.

Silicone hydrogels formulations containing polymeric wetting agents,such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and acyclic polyamides have beendisclosed. However, these polymers are quite large and require the useof special compatibilizing components, which need to be custommanufactured. Examples of compatibilizing components include 2-propenoicacid,2-methyl-,2-hydroxy-3-[3-[1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]disiloxanyl]propoxy]propylester (SiGMA).

An alternative means of forming a wettable silicone hydrogel lens is toincorporate monomeric N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) into the monomer mix usedto make the silicone hydrogel polymer, typically in amounts of about25-55% (by weight) of the monomer mix. Such materials have beendescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,136,250; 4,153,641; 4,260,725 and6,867,245. The materials described in these references generallyincorporate polyfunctional silicone monomers or macromers, that act ascrosslinking agents, and thereby increase the modulus of the finalpolymer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,513 discloses that 2-propenoic acid,2-methyl-2-hydroxy-3-[3-[1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]disiloxanyl]propoxy]propylester (SiGMA) can be used to form lenses from formulations comprisingNVP and HEMA. SiGMA is the only source of silicone disclosed. However,because of the relatively low silicone content in those monomers,desirable levels of oxygen permeability in the final polymers aredifficult to achieve. There is no disclosure which would suggest how toincorporate silicones which do not comprise compatibilizingfunctionality into the formulation.

US 2010/0048847 discloses silicone hydrogels made from a blend of amonomethacryloxyalkyl polydimethylsiloxane methacrylate with about 52%NVP, HEMA and TRIS, and using a blend of ethanol and ethyl acetate as adiluent. The polymers disclosed are (to varying degrees) hazy, but itwas disclosed in this application that the haziness could be reduced bythe addition of at least about 1.5% methacrylic acid (MAA).

Addition of anionic monomers such as MAA can, however, cause hydrolyticinstability in silicone hydrogels, as was disclosed in “The role ofionic hydrophilic monomers in silicone hydrogels for contact lensapplication”, Lai, Y., Valint, P., and Friends, G.; 213^(th) ACSNational Meeting, San Francisco, Apr. 13-17, 1997. For this reason, itremains desirable to form clear, hydrolytically stable, wettable(without surface treatment) silicone hydrogels with low moduli from acombination of a monomethacryloxyalkyl polydimethylsiloxane methacrylatesuch as mPDMS, and NVP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions comprising from about 30to about 70 wt % of at least one slow reacting monomer, at least onemono(meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxane monomer, and at least onehydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer, and at leastone crosslinking monomer, wherein said at least one hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer and said slow reactingmonomer are present in mole percents which form a molar ratio betweenabout 0.15 and 0.4.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a silicone hydrogelformed from a reaction mixture comprising, consisting of or consistingessentially of,

(a) from about 37 to about 70 wt % of at least one slow reacting monomerselected from the group consisting of N-vinylamide monomer of Formula I,vinyl pyrrolidone of Formula II-IV, or N-vinyl piperidone of Formula V:

wherein R is H or methyl;

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₆, R₇, R₁₀, and R₁₁ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(CH₃)₂;

R₄ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of CH₂,CHCH₃ and C(CH₃);

R₅ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl; and

R₉ is selected from CH═CH₂, CCH₃═CH₂, and CH═CHCH₃;

(b) mono (meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxane monomer of Formula VIIor the styryl polydialkylsiloxane monomer of Formula VIII:

wherein R₁₂ is H or methyl;

X is O or NR₁₆,

Each R₁₄ is independently a C₁ to C₄ alkyl which may be fluorinesubstituted, or phenyl;

R₁₅ is a C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

R₁₃ is a divalent alkyl group, which may further be functionalized witha group selected from the group consisting of ether groups, hydroxylgroups, carbamate groups and combinations thereof;

a is 3 to 50;

R₁₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₄, which may be further substituted with oneor more hydroxyl groups;

(c) at least one hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomerof Formula IX or a styryl compound of Formula X

wherein R₁ is H or methyl,

X is O or NR₁₆, R₁₆ is a H, C₁ to C₄ alkyl, which may be furthersubstituted with at least one OH;

R₁₇ is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, andpoly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10 repeating units; wherein said at leastone hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer and saidslow reacting monomer are present in mole percents which form a molarratio between about 0.15 and 0.4; and

(d) at least one crosslinking monomer.

The present invention also provides a silicone hydrogel formed from areaction mixture comprising, or consisting of, or consisting essentiallyof

(a) from about 39 to about 70 wt % of at least one slow reacting monomerselected from the group consisting of N-vinylamide monomer of Formula I,vinyl pyrrolidone of Formula II or IV:

wherein R is H or methyl;

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₁₀, and R₁₁ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(CH₃)₂;

R₄ is selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHCH₃ and C(CH₃);

R₅ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl; and

R₉ is selected from CH═CH₂, CCH₃═CH₂, and CH═CHCH₃;

(b) at least one mono (meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxane monomer ofFormula VII:

wherein R₁₂ is H or methyl;

X is O or NR₁₆,

each R₁₄ is independently a C₁ to C₄ alkyl which may be fluorinesubstituted, or phenyl;

R₁₅ is a C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

R₁₃ is a divalent alkyl group, which may further be functionalized witha group selected from the group consisting of ether groups, hydroxylgroups, carbamate groups and combinations thereof;

a is 3 to 50;

R₁₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₄, which may be further substituted with oneor more hydroxyl groups;

(c) at least one hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomerof Formula IX

wherein R₁ is H or methyl,

X is O or NR₁₆, R₁₆ is a H, C₁ to C₄ alkyl, which may be furthersubstituted with at least one OH;

R₁₇ is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, andpoly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10 repeating units; wherein said at leastone hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer and saidslow reacting monomer are present in mole percents which form a molarratio between about 0.15 and 0.4; and

(d) and at least one crosslinking monomer.

The silicone hydrogels of the present invention are useful for makingbiomedical devices, ophthalmic devices, and particularly contact lenses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a lens assembly.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the dual compartment cure box used for thekinetic evaluations.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of compartment 2 of the cure box show in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions comprising from about 37to about 70 wt % of at least one slow reacting hydrophilic monomer, atleast one at least one mono(meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxanemonomer; one hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer,and at least one crosslinking monomer; wherein said at least onehydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer and said slowreacting hydrophilic monomer are present in mole percents which form amolar ratio between about 0.15 and 0.4.

It has been surprisingly found that the formulations of the presentinvention form hydrogels with a desirable balance of properties. Theformulations may be made using a range of diluents, no diluent and mayalso be cured using light.

As used herein, “diluent” refers to a diluent for the reactivecomposition. Diluents do not react to form part of the biomedicaldevices.

As used herein, “compatibilizing agent” means a compound, which iscapable of solubilizing the selected reactive components.Compatibilizing agents have a number average molecular weight of aboutless than 5000 Daltons, and in another less than about 3000 Daltons. Thecompatibilizing agent of the present invention solubilizes via hydrogenbonding, dispersive forces, combinations thereof and the like. Thus, anyfunctionality which interacts in any of these ways with the highmolecular weight hydrophilic polymer may be used as a compatibilizingagent. Compatibilizing agents in the present invention may be used in anamount so long as they do not degrade other desirable properties of theresulting ophthalmic device. The amount will depend in part on theamount of high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer used. One class ofcompatibilizing agents comprises at least one silicone and at least onehydroxyl group. Such components are referred to as “silicone containingcompatibilizing component” and have been disclosed in WO03/022321 andWO03/022322.

As used herein, a “biomedical device” is any article that is designed tobe used while either in or on mammalian tissues or fluid, and in oneembodiment in or on human tissue or fluids. Examples of these devicesinclude but are not limited to catheters, implants, stents, andophthalmic devices such as intraocular lenses, punctal plugs and contactlenses. In one embodiment the biomedical devices are ophthalmic devices,particularly contact lenses, most particularly contact lenses made fromsilicone hydrogels.

As used herein, the terms “ophthalmic product” “lens” and “ophthalmicdevice” refer to devices that reside in or on the eye. These devices canprovide optical correction, wound care, drug delivery, diagnosticfunctionality, cosmetic enhancement or effect, glare reduction, UVblocking or a combination of these properties. Non-limiting examples ofophthalmic devices include lenses, punctal plugs and the like. The termlens (or contact lens) includes but is not limited to soft contactlenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses, overlay lenses, ocularinserts, and optical inserts.

As used herein “reaction mixture” refers to reactive and non-reactivecomponents (including the diluent) that are mixed together and reactedto form the silicone hydrogels of the present invention. The reactivecomponents are everything in the reaction mixture except the diluent andany additional processing aids which do not become part of the structureof the polymer.

As used herein “(meth)” refers to an optional methyl substitution. Thus,a term such as “(meth)acrylate” denotes both methacrylic and acrylicradicals.

All percentages in this specification are weight percentages unlessotherwise noted.

As used herein, the phrase “without a surface treatment” or “not surfacetreated” means that the exterior surfaces of the devices of the presentinvention are not separately treated to improve the wettability of thedevice. Treatments which may be foregone because of the presentinvention include, plasma treatments, grafting, coating and the like.However, coatings which provide properties other than improvedwettability, such as, but not limited to antimicrobial coatings and theapplication of color or other cosmetic enhancement, may be applied todevices of the present invention.

As used herein “silicone macromers” and silicone “prepolymers” meanmono- and multi-functional silicone containing compounds havingmolecular weights of greater than about 2000.

As used herein “hydroxyl-containing component” is any componentcontaining at least one hydroxyl group.

As used herein “monovalent reactive groups” are groups that can undergofree radical and/or cationic polymerization. Non-limiting examples offree radical reactive groups include (meth)acrylates, styryls, vinyls,vinyl ethers, C₁₋₆alkyl(meth)acrylates, (meth)acrylamides,C₁₋₆alkyl(meth)acrylamides, N-vinyllactams, N-vinylamides,C₂₋₁₂alkenyls, C₂₋₁₂alkenylphenyls, C₂₋₁₂alkenylnaphthyls,C₂₋₆alkenylphenylC₁₋₆alkyls, O-vinylcarbamates and O-vinylcarbonates.Non-limiting examples of cationic reactive groups include vinyl ethersor epoxide groups and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of thefree radical reactive groups include (meth)acrylate, acryloxy,(meth)acrylamide, and mixtures thereof.

In the present invention the components are selected to react atspecific points in the reaction. For example, “fast reacting” componentsare selected to polymerize primarily at the beginning of the reaction,while the slow reacting hydrophilic monomer is selected to polymerizeprimarily at the end of the reaction. Fast reacting components includethe silicone-containing components, the hydroxyalkyl monomers and somecrosslinkers. In one embodiment, slow reacting components have kinetichalf lives which are at least about two times greater than the fastestsilicone containing monomer. Kinetic half lives may be measured asdescribed herein. It should be appreciated that the kinetic half livesare relative to specific formulations.

Examples of slow reacting groups include (meth)acrylamides, vinyls,allyls and combinations thereof and a least one hydrophilic group. Inanother embodiment the slow reacting group is selected from N-vinylamides, O-vinyl carbamates, O-vinyl carbonates, N-vinyl carbamates,O-vinyl ethers, O-2-propenyl, wherein the vinyl or allyl groups may befurther substituted with a methyl group. In yet another embodiment theslow reacting group is selected from N-vinyl amides, O-vinyl carbonates,and O-vinyl carbamates.

Examples of fast reacting groups include (meth)acrylates, styryls,methacryamides and mixtures thereof. Generally (meth)acrylates arefaster than (meth)acrylamides, and acrylamides are faster than(meth)acrylamides

Throughout the specification, wherever chemical structures are given, itshould be appreciated that alternatives disclosed for the substituentson the structure may be combined in any combination. Thus if a structurecontained substituents R₁ and R₂, each of which contained three lists ofpotential groups, 9 combinations are disclosed. The same applies forcombinations of properties.

The present invention relates silicone hydrogels which display a balanceof desirable properties. The silicone hydrogels of the present inventionmay be formed from a combination of three components, at least oneslow-reacting monomer, at least one silicone-containing monomer, atleast one hydroxyalkyl monomer and at least one crosslinker. Applicantshave found that by controlling the amount of slow-reacting monomer andthe ratio of the slow-reacting monomer to the hydroxyalkyl monomer,silicone hydrogels may be formed which display excellent wettability,clarity and on-eye performance. Applicants have also found a family ofdiluents which are particularly suitable for use in making the siliconehydrogels of the present invention. These formulations are well suitedfor photoinitiated curing.

The first component of the reactive mixture is a slow reacting componentselected from N-vinylamide monomers of Formula I, vinyl pyrrolidones ofFormula II-IV, n-vinyl piperidone of Formula V:

wherein R is H or methyl, and in one embodiment R is H;

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₆, R₇, R₁₀, and R₁₁ are independently selected from H, CH₃,CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(CH₃)₂;

R₄ and R₈ are independently selected from CH₂, CHCH₃ and —C(CH₃);

R₅ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl; and

R₉ is selected from CH═CH₂, CCH₃═CH₂, and CH═CHCH₃.

The total number of carbon atoms in R₁ and R₂ may be 4 or less, and inanother embodiment R₁ and R₂ are methyl.

The slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer may be selected from the N-vinylamide monomer of Formula I or a vinyl pyrrolidone of Formula II or IV.In yet another embodiment R₆ is methyl, R₇ is hydrogen, R₉ is CH═CH₂,R₁₀ and R₁₁ are H.

In another embodiment the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer is selectedfrom ethylene glycol vinyl ether (EGVE), di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether(DEGVE), N-vinyl lactams, including N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP),1-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, 1-methyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,5-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-N-methyl acetamide (VMA),N-vinyl-N-ethyl acetamide, N-vinyl-N-ethyl formamide, N-vinyl formamide,N-2-hydroxyethyl vinyl carbamate, N-carboxyvinyl-β-alanine (VINAL),N-carboxyvinyl-α-alanine and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer is selectedfrom NVP, VMA and 1-methyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone. In yet anotherembodiment the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer comprises NVP.

The slow reacting hydrophilic monomer is present in amounts to providewettability to the resulting polymer. Wettability may be measured viacontact angle, and desirable contact angles are less than about 80°,less than about 70° and in some embodiments less than about 60°. Theslow reacting hydrophilic monomer may be present in amounts betweenabout 30 and about 75 wt %, between about 37 and about 75 wt %, betweenabout 30 and about 70 wt %, between about 37 and about 70 wt %, andbetween about 39 and about 60 wt %, all based upon all reactivecomponents.

The at least one silicone-containing monomer is monofunctional andcomprises (a) a fast reacting group selected from (meth)acrylates,styryls, (meth)acrylamides and mixtures thereof and (b) a polydialkylsiloxane chain. In another embodiment the silicon-containing monomercomprises a fast reacting group selected from (meth)acrylates, styryls,(meth)acrylamides and mixtures thereof. The at least onesilicone-containing monomer may also contain at least one fluorine. Inyet another embodiment the silicone-containing component is selectedfrom mono (meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxane and mono(meth)acrylamide alkyl polydialkylsiloxane monomer of Formula VII or thestyryl polydialkylsiloxane monomer of Formula VIII:

wherein R₁₂ is H or methyl;

X is O or NR₁₆,

Each R₁₄ is independently a phenyl or C₁ to C₄ alkyl which may besubstituted with fluorine, hydroxyl or ether, and in another embodimenteach R₁₄ is independently selected from ethyl and methyl groups, and inyet another embodiment, all R₁₄ are methyl;

R₁₅ is a C₁ to C₄ alkyl;

R₁₃ is a divalent alkyl group, which may further be functionalized witha group selected from the group consisting of ether groups, hydroxylgroups, carbamate groups and combinations thereof, and in anotherembodiment C₁-C₆ alkylene groups which may be substituted with ether,hydroxyl and combinations thereof, and in yet another embodiment C₁ orC₃-C₆ alkylene groups which may be substituted with ether, hydroxyl andcombinations thereof;

a is 2 to 50, and in some embodiments 5 to 15.

R₁₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₄alkyl, which may be further substituted withone or more hydroxyl groups, and in some embodiments is H or methyl.

In yet another embodiment R₁₂ and each R₁₄ are methyl.

In yet another embodiment at least one R₁₄ is 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl.

Examples of suitable silicone-containing monomers includemonomethacryloxyalkylpolydimethylsiloxane methacrylates selected fromthe group consisting of monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-butylterminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropyl terminatedmono-n-methyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropylterminated mono-n-butyl terminated polydiethylsiloxane,monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-methyl terminatedpolydiethylsiloxane, N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyltetra(dimethylsiloxy) dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide,α-(2-hydroxy-1-methacryloxypropyloxypropyl)-ω-butyl-decamethylpentasiloxane,and mixtures thereof

In another embodiment the silicone-containing component is selected fromthe group consisting of monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-butylterminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropyl terminatedmono-n-methyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane,N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyl tetra(dimethylsiloxy)dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide,α-(2-hydroxy-1-methacryloxypropyloxypropyl)-w-butyl-decamethylpentasiloxane,and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment the silicone containing component is selected fromacrylamide silicones of U.S. Ser. No. 13/048,469, US20110237766, andparticularly the silicone monomers expressed in the following generalformulae (s1) through (s6).

wherein m is 4-12 and in some embodiments 4-10.

Additional silicone containing components containing one or morepolymerizable groups may also be included. Any additional disclosedsilicone components having the herein disclosed reactive groups may beincluded. Examples include silicone containing monomers displayingbranched siloxane chains such as SiMAA.

The at least one silicone-containing component is present in thereactive mixture in an amount sufficient to provide the desired oxygenpermeability. It is a benefit of the present invention that oxygenpermeabilities greater than about 70 barrer, greater than about 80barrer, in some embodiments greater than about 90 barrer, and in otherembodiments greater than about 100 barrer may be achieved. Suitableamounts will depend on the length of the siloxane chain included in thesilicone-containing monomers, with silicone-containing monomers havinglonger chains requiring less monomer. Amounts include from about 20 toabout 60 weight %, and in some embodiments from about 30 to about 55weight %.

In one embodiment the total amount of silicon in the reactive mixture(excluding diluent) is between about 9 and 14 wt % and between about 9and 13%. It is a benefit of the present application that siliconehydrogels having oxygen permeabilities greater than about 70, about 80,about 90 and even about 100 barrer may be formed with only moderateamounts (less than 14 wt %) silicon.

In one embodiment the reaction mixture is substantially free of TRIS,and in another is substantially free of silicone containing macromers orprepolymers. In another embodiment the reaction mixture is free of TRIS.

The reactive mixtures of the present invention further comprise at leastone hydroxyalkyl monomer selected from hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or(meth)acrylamide monomer of Formula IX or a styryl compound of Formula X

wherein R₁ is H or methyl,

X is O or NR₁₆, R₁₆ is a H, C₁ to C₄ alkyl, which may be furthersubstituted with at least one OH, in some embodiments methyl or2-hydroxyethyl; and

R₁₇ is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, andpoly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10 repeating units; and in someembodiments 2-hydroxyethyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl.

In one embodiment R₁ is H or methyl, X is oxygen and R is selected fromC₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, and poly(ethylene glycol)having 1-10 repeating units. In another embodiment R₁ methyl, X isoxygen and R is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl,and poly(ethylene glycol) having 2-20 repeating units, and in yetanother embodiment R₁ methyl, X is oxygen and R is selected from C₂-C₄mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl. In one embodiment, at least onehydroxyl group is on the terminal end of the R alkyl group.

Examples of suitable hydroxyalkyl monomer include 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate,2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 1-hydroxypropyl-2-(meth)acrylate,2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl(meth)acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, glycerol (meth)acrylate,2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylamide, polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate,bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) (meth)acrylamide, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl(meth)acrylamide, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment the hydroxyalkyl monomer is selected from thegroup consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycerol methacrylate,2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl methacrylate,3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.

In yet another embodiment the hydroxyalkyl monomer comprises2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and in another embodiment comprises3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl methacrylate. In an alternate embodimentthe reactive hydroxyalkyl monomer comprises glycerol methacrylate.

In one embodiment, the hydroxyl containing components have the samereactive functionality as the silicone-containing monomers.

The hydroxyalkyl monomers are present in mole percents which form amolar ratio of hydroxyl groups to slow reacting hydrophilic monomer ofat least about 0.15 and in some embodiments between about 0.15 and about0.4. This is calculated by dividing the number of moles of hydroxylgroups in the hydroxyalkyl monomers (including any hydroxyl groups onthe slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer and the silicone-containingmonomer) by the number of moles of the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomerper a given mass of the monomer mix. In this embodiment, for a reactionmixture comprising HO-mPDMS, HEMA, EGVE and NVP, the hydroxyl groups oneach of HO-mPDMS, HEMA and EGVE would be counted. Any hydroxyl groupspresent in the diluent (if used) are not included in the calculation. Inone embodiment, the lower amount of hydroxyalkyl monomers is selected toprovide a haze value to the final lens of less than about 50% and insome embodiments less than about 30%.

Alternatively, the molar ratio of hydroxyl groups in the reactionmixture to silicon (HO:Si) is between about 0.16 and about 0.4. Themolar ratio is calculated by dividing molar concentration of hydroxylgroups in the components of the reactive mixture (other than anyhydroxyls which are part of the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer ordiluents) by the molar concentration of silicon. In this embodiment boththe hydroxyalkyl monomers and any hydroxyl-containing siliconecomponents are included in the calculation. Thus, in calculating theHO:Si ratio of the reaction mixture comprising HO-mPDMS, HEMA, EGVE andNVP, only the hydroxyl groups on each of HO-mPDMS, HEMA would be countedin calculating the HO:Si.

In another embodiment the molar ratio of hydroxyl groups in non-siliconecontaining components (other than any hydroxyls which are part of theslow-reacting hydrophilic monomer or diluents) to silicon is betweenabout 0.13 and about 0.35. Thus, in calculating the HO_(non-Si):Si ratioof the reaction mixture comprising HO-mPDMS, HEMA, EGVE, and NVP onlythe hydroxyl groups on, HEMA would be counted in calculating theHO_(non-Si):Si ratio.

It will be appreciated that the minimum amount of hydroxyl componentwill vary depending upon a number of factors, including, the number ofhydroxyl groups on the hydroxyalkyl monomer, the amount, molecularweight and presence or absence of hydrophilic functionality on thesilicone containing components. For example, where HEMA is used as thehydroxyalkyl monomer and mPDMS is used in amounts about 38 wt % as thesole silicone containing monomer, at least about 8 wt % HEMA (0.16HO:Si) is included to provide the desired haze values. However, whenlesser amounts of mPDMS are used (about 20%), as little as about 2 or 3%HEMA provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses having haze values belowabout 50%. Similarly, when the formulation includes substantial amountsof a hydroxyl-containing silicone component (such as greater than about20 wt % HO-mPDMS as in Examples 68-73), amounts of HEMA as low as about7 wt % (0.13 HO: Si, or 0.24 HO_(total):Si) may provide the desiredlevel of haze.

Where Dk values greater than about 60, 80 or 100 barrers are desired, anexcess of hydroxyakyl monomer beyond what is necessary to achieve thedesired haze is not desirable.

The reactive mixture may further comprise additional hydrophilicmonomers. Any hydrophilic momomers used to prepare hydrogels may beused. For example monomers containing acrylic groups (CH₂═CROX, where Ris hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl an X is O or N) or vinyl groups (—C═CH₂) may beused. Examples of additional hydrophilic monomers areN,N-dimethylacrylamide, polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate, methacrylicacid, acrylic acid, combinations thereof and the like. If the additionalhydrophilic monomers are not slow reacting monomers as defined herein,their concentrations in the formulations of the present invention may belimited to concentrations which do not provide the lens with a contactangle higher than about 80°. As used herein, “intermediate” half life isone that is between 20% and 70% faster than the slowest reactingsilicone component. For example, if the additional hydrophilic monomerhas a kinetic half life which is between the half lives of the vinylcontaining monomer and the silicone components, (such asN,N-dimethylacrylamide), the amount of the additional hydrophilicmonomer is limited to below about 3 wt %. In embodiments where the lensis to be surface modified, higher amounts of additional monomers may beincluded.

The reaction mixtures of the present invention further comprise at leastone crosslinker. A crosslinker is a monomer with two or morepolymerizable double bonds. Suitable crosslinkers include ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (“EGDMA”), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate(“TMPTMA”), glycerol trimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate(wherein the polyethylene glycol preferably has a molecular weight upto, e.g., about 5000), and other polyacrylate and polymethacrylateesters, such as the end-capped polyoxyethylene polyols described abovecontaining two or more terminal methacrylate moieties. The crosslinkermay be used in the usual amounts, e.g., from about 0.000415 to about0.0156 mole per 100 grams of reactive components in the reactionmixture. Alternatively, if the hydrophilic monomers and/or the siliconecontaining monomers act as the crosslinking agent, the addition of anadditional crosslinking agent to the reaction mixture is optional.Examples of hydrophilic monomers which can act as the crosslinking agentand when present do not require the addition of an additionalcrosslinking agent to the reaction mixture include polyoxyethylenepolyols described above containing two or more terminal methacrylatemoieties.

An example of a silicone containing monomer which can act as acrosslinking agent and, when present, does not require the addition of acrosslinking monomer to the reaction mixture includes α,ω-bismethacryloypropyl polydimethylsiloxane.

The reaction mixtures can also contain multiple crosslinkers dependingon the reaction rate of the hydrophilic component. With very slowreacting hydrophilic components (e.g. VMA, EGVE, DEGVE) crosslinkershaving slow reacting functional groups (e.g. di-vinyl, tri-vinyl,di-allyl, tri-allyl) or a combination of slow reacting functional groupsand fast reacting functional groups (e.g. HEMAVc) can be combined withcrosslinkers having fast reacting functional groups ((meth)acrylates) toimprove the retention of the polymers of the slow-reacting monomers inthe final hydrogel.

In one embodiment the reaction mixture comprises at least twocrosslinkers, at least one first crosslinker having at least two fastreacting groups which will react with the silicone components andhydroxyl alkyl (meth)acrylates and at least one second crosslinkerhaving at least two slow reacting groups which react with the slowreacting hydrophilic monomer. This mixture of fast and slow reactingcrosslinkers provides the final polymer with improved resilience andrecovery, particularly on the surface of the lens. Examples of suitablefirst crosslinkers include those having only (meth)acrylatefunctionality, such as EGDMA, TEGDMA and combinations thereof. Examplesof suitable second crosslinkers include those having only vinylfunctionality, such as triallyl cyanurate (TAC). When mixtures are usedsuitable total amounts of all crosslinker in the reactive mixtureinclude between about 0.10% and about 2%, and about 0.1 to about 1% wt,excluding diluent respectively. In another embodiment the total amountof all crosslinker in the reactive mixtures is between 0.7 to about 6.0mmol/100 g of polymerizable components; between about 0.7 to about 4.0mmoles per 100 g of reactive components. The fast and slow reactingcrosslinkers are present in respective amounts of about 0.3 to about 2.0mmol/100 g of polymerizable components and between about 0.4 to about2.0 mmoles per 100 g of reactive components.

The reaction mixture may also comprise at least one UV absorbingcompound. When the silicone hydrogel will be used as an ophthalmicdevice it may be desirable to incorporate a reactive UV absorbingcompound in the reaction mixture so that the resulting silicone hydrogelwill be UV absorbing. Suitable UV absorbers may be derived from2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, 2-hydroxybenzophenones,2-hydroxyphenyltriazines, oxanilides, cyanoacrylates, salicylates and4-hydroxybenzoates; which may be further reacted to incorporate reactivepolymerizable groups, such as (meth)acrylates. Specific examples of UVabsorbers which include polymerizable groups include2-(2′-hydroxy-5-methacrylyloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (Norbloc),5-vinyl and 5-isopropenyl derivatives of2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole and 4-acrylates or4-methacrylates of 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole or2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3-2H-dibenzotriazole, mixtures thereof and thelike. When a UV absorber is included, it may be included in amountsbetween about 0.5 and about 4 wt %, and in other embodiments betweenabout 1 wt % and about 2 wt %.

A polymerization initiator is preferably included in the reactionmixture. The reaction mixtures of the present invention comprise atleast one thermal, photoinitiator or a mixture thereof. The use ofphotoinitiation provides desirable cure times (time to reach essentiallycomplete cure) of less than about 30 minutes, less than about 20 minutesand in some embodiments less than about 15 minutes. Suitablephotoinitiator systems include aromatic alpha-hydroxy ketones,alkoxyoxybenzoins, acetophenones, acylphosphine oxides, bisacylphosphineoxides, and a tertiary amine plus a diketone, mixtures thereof and thelike. Illustrative examples of photoinitiators are 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one,bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-2,4-4-trimethylpentyl phosphine oxide(DMBAPO), bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenyl phosphineoxide (Irgacure819), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyldiphenyl phosphine oxide and2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, benzoin methyl ester anda combination of camphorquinone and ethyl 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate.Commercially available visible light initiator systems include Irgacure819, Irgacure 1700, Irgacure 1800, Irgacure 819, Irgacure 1850 (all fromCiba Specialty Chemicals) and Lucirin TPO initiator (available fromBASF). Commercially available UV photoinitiators include Darocur 1173and Darocur 2959 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals). These and otherphotoinitiators which may be used are disclosed in Volume III,Photoinitiators for Free Radical Cationic & Anionic Photopolymerization,2^(nd) Edition by J. V. Crivello & K. Dietliker; edited by G. Bradley;John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1998, which is incorporated herein byreference. Suitable thermal initiators include lauryl peroxide, benzoylperoxide, isopropyl percarbonate, azobisisobutyronitrile, and the like.The initiator is used in the reaction mixture in effective amounts toinitiate polymerization of the reaction mixture, e.g., from about 0.1 toabout 2 parts by weight per 100 parts of reactive monomer.

The reaction mixture may also comprise at least one diluent or may be“neat”. If a diluent is used, the selected diluents should solubilizethe components in the reactive mixture. It will be appreciated that theproperties of the selected hydrophilic and hydrophobic components mayaffect the properties of the diluents which will provide the desiredcompatibilization. For example, if the reaction mixture contains onlymoderately polar components, diluents having moderate op may be used. Ifhowever, the reaction mixture contains strongly polar components, thediluent may need to have a high δp. However, as the diluent becomes morehydrophobic, processing steps necessary to replace the diluent withwater will require the use of solvents other than water. This mayundesirably increase the complexity and cost of the manufacturingprocess. Thus, it is important to select a diluent which provides thedesired compatibility to the components with the necessary level ofprocessing convenience.

The type and amount of diluent used also effects the properties of theresultant polymer and article. The haze, wettability and modulus of thefinal article may be improved by selecting relatively hydrophobicdiluents and/or decreasing the concentration of diluent used.

Diluents useful in preparing the devices of this invention include polardiluents, such as ethers, esters, amides, alcohols, carboxylic acids andcombinations thereof. Amides, carboxylic acids and alcohols arepreferred diluents, and secondary and tertiary alcohols are morepreferred alcohol diluents.

Examples of alcohols useful as diluents for this invention include thosehaving the formula

wherein R, R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, a linear,branched or cyclic monovalent alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons which mayoptionally be substituted with one or more groups including halogens,ethers, esters, aryls, amines, amides, alkenes, alkynes, carboxylicacids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or the like, or any two or all threeof R, R′ and R″ can together bond to form one or more cyclic structures,such as alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons which may also be substituted asjust described, with the proviso that no more than one of R, R′ or R″ isH.

It is preferred that R, R′ and R″ are independently selected from H orunsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 7carbons. It is more preferred that R, R′, and R″ are independentlyselected form unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groupshaving 1 to 7 carbons. In certain embodiments, the preferred diluent has4 or more, more preferably 5 or more total carbons, because the highermolecular weight diluents have lower volatility, and lower flammability.When one of the R, R′ and R″ is H, the structure forms a secondaryalcohol. When none of the R, R′ and R″ are H, the structure forms atertiary alcohol. Tertiary alcohols are more preferred than secondaryalcohols. The diluents are preferably inert and easily displaceable bywater when the total number of carbons is five or less.

Examples of useful secondary alcohols include 2-butanol, 2-propanol,menthol, cyclohexanol, cyclopentanol and exonorborneol, 2-pentanol,3-pentanol, 2-hexanol, 3-hexanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-heptanol,2-octanol, 2-nonanol, 2-decanol, 3-octanol, norborneol, and the like.

Examples of useful tertiary alcohols include tert-butanol, tert-amyl,alcohol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol,3-methyl-3-pentanol, 1-methylcyclohexanol, 2-methyl-2-hexanol,3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol, 1-chloro-2-methyl-2-propanol,2-methyl-2-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-octanol, 2-2-methyl-2-nonanol,2-methyl-2-decanol, 3-methyl-3-hexanol, 3-methyl-3-heptanol,4-methyl-4-heptanol, 3-methyl-3-octanol, 4-methyl-4-octanol,3-methyl-3-nonanol, 4-methyl-4-nonanol, 3-methyl-3-octanol,3-ethyl-3-hexanol, 3-methyl-3-heptanol, 4-ethyl-4-heptanol,4-propyl-4-heptanol, 4-isopropyl-4-heptanol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol,1-methylcyclopentanol, 1-ethylcyclopentanol, 1-ethylcyclopentanol,3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-butene, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-cyclopentanol,2-phenyl-2-propanol, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-2-propanol2,3,4-trimethyl-3-pentanol, 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol, 2-phenyl-2-butanol,2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propanol and 3-ethyl-3-pentanol, and the like.

Examples of useful carboxylic acids include C₂-C₁₆, carboxylic acids,with one or two carboxylic acid groups and optionally a phenyl group.Specific examples include acetic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid,octanoic acid, benzylic acid, combinations thereof and the like.

A single alcohol or mixtures of two or more of the above-listed alcoholsor two or more alcohols according to the structure above can be used asthe diluent to make the polymer of this invention.

The diluent may be selected from secondary and tertiary alcohols havingat least 4 carbons. Suitable examples of include tert-butanol, tert-amylalcohol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol,3-methyl-3-pentanol, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol, 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol. It hasbeen found secondary and tertiary alcohols having at least 4 carbonatoms, even in relatively low amounts, have a beneficial effect on themodulus of the final polymer. These alcohols, such as t-amyl alcohol,even in amounts as low as 20-20 wt %, can lower the modulus of theresulting polymer by about 20%.

The diluent may also be selected from hexanol, heptanol, octanol,nonanol, decanol, tert-butyl alcohol, 3-methyl-3-pentanol, isopropanol,t amyl alcohol, ethyl lactate, methyl lactate, i-propyl lactate,3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide, dimethylpropionamide, N methyl pyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof. Additionaldiluents useful for this invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,020,445, US20100280146 which is incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment the diluent is selected from t-amyl alcohol,3-methyl-3-pentanol, 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol, decanoic acid, andcombinations thereof and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention the diluent is water solubleat processing conditions and readily washed out of the lens with waterin a short period of time. Suitable water soluble diluents include1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 1-methyl-2-propanol, t-amyl alcohol, tripropyleneglycol methyl ether, isopropanol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,N,N-dimethylpropionamide, ethyl lactate, dipropylene glycol methylether, mixtures thereof and the like. The use of a water soluble diluentallows the post molding process to be conducted using water only oraqueous solutions which comprise water as a substantial component.

The diluents may be used in amounts up to about 40% by weight of thetotal of all components in the reactive mixture. In one embodiment thediluent(s) are used in amounts less than about 30% and in another inamounts between about 5 and about 20% by weight of the total of allcomponents in the reactive mixture.

The diluent may also comprise additional components to lower the modulusof the resulting polymers and improve the lens curing efficiency andreducing residuals. Components capable of increasing the viscosity ofthe reactive mixture and/or increasing the degree of hydrogen bondingwith the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer, are desirable. Suitablecomponents include polyamides, polylactams, such as PVP and copolymersthereof, polyols and polyol containing components such glycerin, boricacid, boric acid glycerol esters, polyalkylene glycols, combinationsthereof and the like.

Suitable polylactams include PVP and copolymers comprising repeatingunits from NVP and hydrophilic monomers. In one embodiment, thepolylactam is selected from, PVP, and the polyamide comprises DMA.

When polyamides or polylactams are used they have a molecular weight ofbetween about K12-K120 (about 3900 to about 3,000,000 Dalton M_(w)) andin some embodiments from K30 to K90 (about 42,000 to about 1,300,000Dalton M_(w).

Suitable polyalkylene glycols include polyethylene glycol andpolypropylene glycols having molecular weight up to about 350 and insome embodiments less than about 200 gm/mol.

When used, the polyols and polyol containing components are used inamounts less than about 5 wt % and in some embodiments from about 0.2 toabout 5 wt %. The diluents and codiluents of the present invention alsoreduce the residuals remaining in the polymer at the end of thephotocure. This provides lenses with more consistent properties,including diameter. In some embodiments the residual slow-reactinghydrophilic component present at the end of cure are less than about 2wt % of the lens ((wt of residual component/wt of cured polymer)*100%),less than about 1 wt % and in some cases less than about 0.8 wt %. Thereduction in residuals also leads to more consistent lens properties,including lens diameters, which can vary by less than about 0.05 mm.

The reactive mixture may contain additional components such as, but notlimited to, medicinal agents, antimicrobial compounds, reactive tints,pigments, copolymerizable and non-polymerizable dyes, release agents andcombinations thereof.

The range of slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer in the reaction mixtureincludes from about 40 to 70 weight percent. The hydroxyalkyl monomersare present in amounts suitable to provide a molar ratio of hydroxyalkylmonomer to slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer of about 0.15 to about 0.4.Suitable ranges of silicone-containing component(s) are from about 20 toabout 60 weight %, and in some embodiments from about 30 to about 55weight % of the reactive components in the reaction mixture. Thereaction mixtures also comprise from about 0.2 to about 3 weight % of acrosslinking monomer, from about 0 to about 3 weight % of a UV absorbingmonomer, (all based upon the weight % of all reactive components) andabout 20 to about 60 weight % (weight % of all components, both reactiveand non-reactive) of one or more of the claimed diluents. It should beappreciated that the foregoing ranges may be combined in anypermutation.

In one embodiment the hydroxyalkyl monomer comprises GMMA and thediluent comprises t-amyl alcohol.

The reaction mixtures of the present invention can be formed by any ofthe methods known to those skilled in the art, such as shaking orstirring, and used to form polymeric articles or devices by knownmethods.

For example, the biomedical devices of the invention may be prepared bymixing reactive components and the diluent(s) with a polymerizationinitiator and curing by appropriate conditions to form a product thatcan be subsequently formed into the appropriate shape by lathing,cutting and the like. Alternatively, the reaction mixture may be placedin a mold and subsequently cured into the appropriate article.

Various processes are known for processing the reaction mixture in theproduction of contact lenses, including spincasting and static casting.Spincasting methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,408,429 and3,660,545, and static casting methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,113,224 and 4,197,266. In one embodiment, the method for producingcontact lenses comprising the polymer of this invention is by the directmolding of the silicone hydrogels, which is economical, and enablesprecise control over the final shape of the hydrated lens. For thismethod, the reaction mixture is placed in a mold having the shape of thefinal desired silicone hydrogel, i.e., water-swollen polymer, and thereaction mixture is subjected to conditions whereby the monomerspolymerize, to thereby produce a polymer/diluent mixture in the shape ofthe final desired product.

Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram is illustrated of an ophthalmic lens 100,such as a contact lens, and mold parts 101-102 used to form theophthalmic lens 100. In some embodiments, the mold parts include a backsurface mold part 101 and a front surface mold part 102. As used herein,the term “front surface mold part” refers to the mold part whose concavesurface 104 is a lens forming surface used to form the front surface ofthe ophthalmic lens. Similarly, the term “back surface mold part” refersto the mold part 101 whose convex surface 105 forms a lens formingsurface, which will form the back surface of the ophthalmic lens 100. Insome embodiments, mold parts 101 and 102 are of a concavo-convex shape,preferably including planar annular flanges, which surround thecircumference of the uppermost edges of the concavo-convex regions ofthe mold parts 101-102.

Typically, the mold parts 101-102 are arrayed as a “sandwich”. The frontsurface mold part 102 is on the bottom, with the concave surface 104 ofthe mold part facing upwards. The back surface mold part 101 can bedisposed symmetrically on top of the front surface mold part 102, withthe convex surface 105 of the back surface mold part 101 projectingpartially into the concave region of the front surface mold part 102. Inone embodiment, the back surface mold part 101 is dimensioned such thatthe convex surface 105 thereof engages the outer edge of the concavesurface 104 of the front mold part 102 throughout its circumference,thereby cooperating to form a sealed mold cavity in which the ophthalmiclens 100 is formed.

In some embodiments, the mold parts 101-102 are fashioned ofthermoplastic and are transparent to polymerization-initiating actinicradiation, by which is meant that at least some, and in some embodimentsall, radiation of an intensity and wavelength effective to initiatepolymerization of the reaction mixture in the mold cavity can passthrough the mold parts 101-102.

For example, thermoplastics suitable for making the mold parts caninclude: polystyrene; polyvinylchloride; polyolefin, such aspolyethylene and polypropylene; copolymers or mixtures of styrene withacrylonitrile or butadiene, polyacrylonitrile, polyamides, polyesters,cyclic olefin copolymers such as Topas available from Ticona or Zeonoravailable from Zeon, copolymers and blends of any of the foregoing, orother known material.

Following polymerization of the reaction mixture to form a lens 100, thelens surface 103 will typically adhere to the mold part surface 104. Thesteps of the present invention facilitate release of the surface 103from the mold part surface.

The first mold part 101 can be separated from the second mold part 102in a demolding process. In some embodiments, the lens 100 will haveadhered to the second mold part 102 (i.e. the front curve mold part)during the cure process and remain with the second mold part 102 afterseparation until the lens 100 has been released from the front curvemold part 102. In other embodiments, the lens 100 can adhere to thefirst mold part 101.

The lens 100 may be removed from the mold part may be released from themold by any process, including contacting with a solvent or dry release.In one embodiment, the lens 100 and the mold part to which it is adheredafter demolding are contacted with an aqueous solution. The aqueoussolution can be heated to any temperature below the boiling point of theaqueous solution, and preferably at least about 10° C. below the boilingpoint of the high boiling point diluent. In some embodiments the aqueoussolution is heated to a temperature which is at least about 10° C. lowerthan the boiling point of the diluent having the lowest boiling point.Heating can be accomplished with a heat exchange unit to minimize thepossibility of explosion, or by any other feasible means or apparatusfor heating a liquid.

As used herein, processing includes the steps of removing the lens fromthe mold and removing or exchanging the diluent with an aqueoussolution. The steps may be done separately, or in a single step orstage. The processing temperature may be any temperatures between about30° C. and the boiling point of the aqueous solutions, in someembodiments between about 30° C. and about 95° C., and in someembodiments between about 50° C. and about 95° C.

The aqueous solution is primarily water. In some embodiments, theaqueous solution is at least about 70 wt % water, and in otherembodiments at least about 90 weight % water and in other embodiments atleast about 95%. The aqueous solution may also be a contact lenspackaging solution such as borate buffered saline solution, sodiumborate solutions, sodium bicarbonate solutions and the like. The aqueoussolution may also include additives, such as surfactants, preservatives,release aids, antibacterial agents, pharmaceutical and nutriceuticalcomponents, lubricants, wetting agents, salts, buffers, mixtures thereofand the like. Specific examples of additives which may be included inthe aqueous solution include Tween 80, which is polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonooleate, Tyloxapol, octylphenoxy (oxyethylene) ethanol, amphoteric10), EDTA, sorbic acid, DYMED, chlorhexadine gluconate, hydrogenperoxide, thimerosal, polyquad, polyhexamethylene biguanide, mixturesthereof and the like. Where various zones are used, different additivesmay be included in different zones. In some embodiments, additives canbe added to the hydration solution in amounts varying between 0.01% and10% by weight, but cumulatively less than about 10% by weight.

Exposure of the ophthalmic lens 100 to the aqueous solution can beaccomplished by any method, such as washing, spraying, soaking,submerging, or any combination of the aforementioned. For example, insome embodiments, the lens 100 can be washed with an aqueous solutioncomprising deionized water in a hydration tower.

In embodiments using a hydration tower, front curve mold parts 102containing lenses 100 can be placed in pallets or trays and stackedvertically. The aqueous solution can be introduced at the top of thestack of lenses 100 so that the solution will flow downwardly over thelenses 100. The solution can also be introduced at various positionsalong the tower. In some embodiments, the trays can be moved upwardlyallowing the lenses 100 to be exposed to increasingly fresher solution.

In other embodiments, the ophthalmic lenses 100 are soaked or submergedin the aqueous solution.

The contacting step can last up to about 12 hours, in some embodimentsup to about 2 hours and in other embodiments from about 2 minutes toabout 2 hours; however, the length of the contacting step depends uponthe lens materials, including any additives, the materials that are usedfor the solutions or solvents, and the temperatures of the solutions.Sufficient treatment times typically shrink the contact lens and releasethe lens from the mold part. Longer contacting times will providegreater leaching.

The volume of aqueous solution used may be any amount greater than about1 ml/lens and in some embodiments greater than about 5 ml/lens.

In some methods, after separation or demolding, the lenses on the frontcurves, which may be part of a frame, are mated with individual concaveslotted cups to receive the contact lenses when they release from thefront curves. The cups can be part of a tray. Examples can include trayswith 32 lenses each, and 20 trays that can be accumulated into amagazine.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the lenses aresubmerged in the aqueous solution. In one embodiment, magazines can beaccumulated and then lowered into tanks containing the aqueous solution.The aqueous solution may also include other additives as describedabove.

As used herein clarity means substantially free from visible haze. Clearlenses have a haze value of less than about 100%, in some embodimentsless than about 50%, and in other embodiments less than about 20%compared to a CSI lens.

Suitable oxygen permeabilities include those greater than about 40barrer and in some embodiments greater than about 60 barrer, and inother embodiments at least about 100 barrer.

Also, the biomedical devices, and particularly ophthalmic devices andcontact lenses have average contact angles (advancing) which are lessthan about 80°, less than about 75° and in some embodiments less thanabout 70°. In some embodiments the articles of the present inventionhave combinations of the above described oxygen permeability, watercontent and contact angle. All combinations of the above ranges aredeemed to be within the present invention.

Hansen Solubility Parameter

The Hansen solubility parameter, δp may be calculated by using the groupcontribution method described in Barton, CRC Handbook of SolubilityPar., 1st. Ed. 1983, page 85-87 and using Tables 13, 14.

Haze Measurement

Haze is measured by placing a hydrated test lens in borate bufferedsaline in a clear 20×40×10 mm glass cell at ambient temperature above aflat black background, illuminating from below with a fiber optic lamp(Dolan-Jenner PL-900 fiber optic light or Titan Tool Supply Co. fiberoptic light with 0.5″ diameter light guide set at a power setting of4-5.4) at an angle 66° normal to the lens cell, and capturing an imageof the lens from above, normal to the lens cell with a video camera (DVC1300C:19130 RGB camera with Navitar TV Zoom 7000 zoom lens) placed 14 mmabove the lens platform. The background scatter is subtracted from thescatter of the lens by subtracting an image of a blank cell using EPIXXCAP V 2.2 software. The subtracted scattered light image isquantitatively analyzed, by integrating over the central 10 mm of thelens, and then comparing to a −1.00 diopter CSI Thin Lens®, which isarbitrarily set at a haze value of 100, with no lens set as a haze valueof 0. Five lenses are analyzed and the results are averaged to generatea haze value as a percentage of the standard CSI lens. Lenses have hazelevels of less than about 150% (of CSI as set forth above) and in somecases less than about 100%.

Alternatively, instead of a −1.00 diopter CSI Thin Lenses®, a series ofaqueous dispersions of stock latex spheres (commercially available as0.49 μm Polystyene Latex Spheres—Certified Nanosphere Size Standardsfrom Ted Pella, Inc., Product Number 610-30) can be used as standards. Aseries of calibration samples were prepared in deionized water. Eachsolution of varying concentration was placed in a cuvette (2 mm pathlength) and the solution haze was measured using the above method.

Concentration Solution (wt % × 10⁻⁴) Mean GS 1 10.0 533 2 6.9 439 3 5.0379 4 4.0 229 5 2.0 172 6 0.7 138 Mean GS = mean gray scaleA corrective factor was derived by dividing the slope of the plot ofMean GS against the concentration (47.1) by the slope of anexperimentally obtained standard curve, and multiplying this ratio timesmeasured scatter values for lenses to obtain GS values.

“CSI haze value” may be calculated as follows:

CSI haze value=100×(GS−BS)/(217-BS)

Where GS is gray scale and BS is background scatter.

Water Content

The water content of contact lenses was measured as follows: Three setsof three lenses are allowed to sit in packing solution for 24 hours.Each lens is blotted with damp wipes and weighed. The lenses are driedat 60° C. for four hours at a pressure of 0.4 inches Hg or less. Thedried lenses are weighed. The water content is calculated as follows:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {water}\mspace{14mu} {content}} = {\frac{\left( {{{wet}\mspace{14mu} {weight}} - {{dry}\mspace{14mu} {weight}}} \right)}{{wet}\mspace{14mu} {weight}} \times 100}$

The average and standard deviation of the water content are calculatedfor the samples and are reported.

Modulus

Modulus is measured by using the crosshead of a constant rate ofmovement type tensile testing machine equipped with a load cell that islowered to the initial gauge height. A suitable testing machine includesan Instron model 1122. A dog-bone shaped sample having a 0.522 inchlength, 0.276 inch “ear” width and 0.213 inch “neck” width is loadedinto the grips and elongated at a constant rate of strain of 2 in/min.until it breaks. The initial gauge length of the sample (Lo) and samplelength at break (Lf) are measured. Twelve specimens of each compositionare measured and the average is reported. Percent elongation is=[(Lf−Lo)/Lo]×100. Tensile modulus is measured at the initial linearportion of the stress/strain curve.

Advancing Contact Angle

All contact angles reported herein are advancing contact angles. Theadvancing contact angle was measured as follows. Four samples from eachset were prepared by cutting out a center strip from the lensapproximately 5 mm in width and equilibrated in packing solution. Thewetting force between the lens surface and borate buffered saline ismeasured at 23° C. using a Wilhelmy microbalance while the sample isbeing immersed into or pulled out of the saline. The following equationis used

F=2γp cos θ or θ=cos⁻¹(F/2γp)

where F is the wetting force, γ is the surface tension of the probeliquid, p is the perimeter of the sample at the meniscus and θ is thecontact angle. The advancing contact angle is obtained from the portionof the wetting experiment where the sample is being immersed into thepacking solution. Each sample was cycled four times and the results wereaveraged to obtain the advancing contact angles for the lens.

Oxygen Permeability (Dk)

The Dk is measured as follows. Lenses are positioned on a polarographicoxygen sensor consisting of a 4 mm diameter gold cathode and a silverring anode then covered on the upper side with a mesh support. The lensis exposed to an atmosphere of humidified 2.1% O₂. The oxygen thatdiffuses through the lens is measured by the sensor. Lenses are eitherstacked on top of each other to increase the thickness or a thicker lensis used. The L/Dk of 4 samples with significantly different thicknessvalues are measured and plotted against the thickness. The inverse ofthe regressed slope is the Dk of the sample. The reference values arethose measured on commercially available contact lenses using thismethod. Balafilcon A lenses available from Bausch & Lomb give ameasurement of approx. 79 barrer. Etafilcon lenses give a measurement of20 to 25 barrer. (1 barrer=10⁻¹⁰ (cm³ of gas×cm²)/(cm³ of polymer×sec×cmHg)).

Lysozyme Uptake

Lysozyme uptake was measured as follows: The lysozyme solution used forthe lysozyme uptake testing contained lysozyme from chicken egg white(Sigma, L7651) solubilized at a concentration of 2 mg/ml in phosphatesaline buffer supplemented by Sodium bicarbonate at 1.37 g/l andD-Glucose at 0.1 g/l.

Three lenses for each example were tested using each protein solution,and three were tested using PBS (phosphate buffered saline) as a controlsolution. The test lenses were blotted on sterile gauze to removepacking solution and aseptically transferred, using sterile forceps,into sterile, 24 well cell culture plates (one lens per well) each wellcontaining 2 ml of lysozyme solution. Each lens was fully immersed inthe solution. 2 ml of the lysozyme solution was placed in a well withouta contact lens as a control.

The plates containing the lenses and the control plates containing onlyprotein solution and the lenses in the PBS, were parafilmed to preventevaporation and dehydration, placed onto an orbital shaker and incubatedat 35° C., with agitation at 100 rpm for 72 hours. After the 72 hourincubation period the lenses were rinsed 3 to 5 times by dipping lensesinto three (3) separate vials containing approximately 200 ml volume ofPBS. The lenses were blotted on a paper towel to remove excess PBSsolution and transferred into sterile conical tubes (1 lens per tube),each tube containing a volume of PBS determined based upon an estimateof lysozyme uptake expected based upon on each lens composition. Thelysozyme concentration in each tube to be tested needs to be within thealbumin standards range as described by the manufacturer (0.05 micogramto 30 micrograms). Samples known to uptake a level of lysozyme lowerthan 100 μg per lens were diluted 5 times. Samples known to uptakelevels of lysozyme higher than 500 μg per lens (such as etafilcon Alenses) are diluted 20 times.

1 ml aliquot of PBS was used for all samples other than etafilcon. 20 mlwere used for etafilcon A lens. Each control lens was identicallyprocessed, except that the well plates contained PBS instead of lysozymesolution.

Lysozyme uptake was determined using on-lens bicinchoninic acid methodusing QP-BCA kit (Sigma, QP-BCA) following the procedure described bythe manufacturer (the standards prep is described in the kit) and iscalculated by subtracting the optical density measured on PBS soakedlenses (background) from the optical density determined on lenses soakedin lysozyme solution.

Optical density was measured using a Synergyll Micro-plate readercapable for reading optical density at 562 nm.

Lipocalin uptake was measured using the following solution and method.The lipocalin solution contained B Lactoglobulin (Lipocalin) from bovinemilk (Sigma, L3908) solubilized at a concentration of 2 mg/ml inphosphate saline buffer (Sigma, D8662) supplemented by sodiumbicarbonate at 1.37 g/l and D-Glucose at 0.1 g/l.

Three lenses for each example were tested using the lipocalin solution,and three were tested using PBS as a control solution. The test lenseswere blotted on sterile gauze to remove packing solution and asepticallytransferred, using sterile forceps, into sterile, 24 well cell cultureplates (one lens per well) each well containing 2 ml of lipocalinsolution. Each lens was fully immersed in the solution. Control lenseswere prepared using PBS as soak solution instead of lipocalin. Theplates containing the lenses immersed in lipocalin solution as well asplates containing control lenses immersed in PBS, were parafilmed toprevent evaporation and dehydration, placed onto an orbital shaker andincubated at 35° C., with agitation at 100 rpm for 72 hours. After the72 hour incubation period the lenses were rinsed 3 to 5 times by dippinglenses into three (3) separate vials containing approximately 200 mlvolume of PBS. The lenses were blotted on a paper towel to remove excessPBS solution and transferred into sterile 24 well plates each wellcontaining 1 ml of PBS solution.

Lipocalin uptake was determined using on-lens bicinchoninic acid methodusing QP-BCA kit (Sigma, QP-BCA) following the procedure described bythe manufacturer (the standards prep is described in the kit) and iscalculated by subtracting the optical density measured on PBS soakedlenses (background) from the optical density determined on lenses soakedin lipocalin solution. Optical density was measured using a SynergyllMicro-plate reader capable for reading optical density at 562 nm.

Mucin uptake was measured using the following solution and method. TheMucin solution contained Mucins from bovine submaxillary glands (Sigma,M3895-type 1-S) solubilized at a concentration of 2 mg/ml in phosphatesaline buffer (Sigma, D8662) supplemented by sodium bicarbonate at 1.37g/l and D-Glucose at 0.1 g/l.

Three lenses for each example were tested using Mucin solution, andthree were tested using PBS as a control solution. The test lenses wereblotted on sterile gauze to remove packing solution and asepticallytransferred, using sterile forceps, into sterile, 24 well cell cultureplates (one lens per well) each well containing 2 ml of Mucin solution.Each lens was fully immersed in the solution. Control lenses wereprepared using PBS as soak solution instead of lipocalin.

The plates containing the lenses immersed in Mucin as well as platescontaining control lenses immersed in PBS were parafilmed to preventevaporation and dehydration, placed onto an orbital shaker and incubatedat 35° C., with agitation at 100 rpm for 72 hours. After the 72 hourincubation period the lenses were rinsed 3 to 5 times by dipping lensesinto three (3) separate vials containing approximately 200 ml volume ofPBS. The lenses were blotted on a paper towel to remove excess PBSsolution and transferred into sterile 24 well plates each wellcontaining 1 ml of PBS solution.

Mucin uptake was determined using on-lens bicinchoninic acid methodusing QP-BCA kit (Sigma, QP-BCA) following the procedure described bythe manufacturer (the standards prep is described in the kit) and iscalculated by subtracting the optical density measured on PBS soakedlenses (background) from the optical density determined on lenses soakedin Mucin solution. Optical density was measured using a SynergyllMicro-plate reader capable for reading optical density at 562 nm.

Kinetics

The kinetic half lives for components may be determined as follows. Thecomponents for each kinetics example were weighed into a 20 mL amberborosilicate glass scintillation vial (Wheaton 320 brand; Catalogue#80076-576, or equivalent). Vials were capped (using PTFE lined greencap, Qorpak; Supplier #5205/100, Catalogue #16161-213) and rolled on jarroller until all solids were dissolved and a homogeneous mixtures wereobtained.

Degas

Reactive monomer mixes were degassed under vacuum, under yellow lightfor 7-10 minutes, and back-filling with nitrogen after breaking vacuum.Vials were quickly capped and placed in compartment 1 of a twocompartment nitrogen cure box, via the gated aperature, 7, as shown inFIG. 2. The conditions in compartment 1 were room temperature and <0.5%oxygen (using continuous nitrogen purge).

Nitrogen Cure Box—Compartment 2

The oxygen level in both compartments was maintained bycontinuous/constant nitrogen purge. The temperature in Compartment 2 wasmaintained by a heater (COY, Laboratory Products Inc.). The nitrogencure box was allowed to equilibrate for a minimum of 4 hours prior toperforming each kinetics study. The degassed reactive mixture (intightly capped abmber vial) was placed in compartment 1 during theequilibration period.

Light Source and Intensity Setting

As depicted in FIG. 3, 2 fluorescent light fixtures (Lithonia LightingFluorescent Luminaire (Gas Tube Luminaire), 60 cm×10.5 cm) each equippedwith 2 fluorescent lamps (Philips TLK 40W/03, 58 cm) were arranged inparallel. The cure intensity was attenuated by adjusting the height ofthe shelf (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) relative to the light source. Theintensity at a given shelf height was measured by placing the sensor ofa calibrated radiometer/photometer on the mirrored surface, consistentwith the position of the sample, as shown in FIG. 3. The sensor wasplaced directly under the space between the 2^(nd) and 3^(rd) lamps inthe 4 lamps arrangement.

Using a calibrated analytical balance (4 decimal places) the weight of aclear borosilicate glass scintillation vial (Wheaton 986541) with cap(white cap with polyethylene insert) was determined. The vial with capwas transferred to Compartment 1 of the Nitrogen Cure Box. The cap wasunscrewed and using a calibrated 10-100 μL Eppendorf Pipet, 100μ: of theReactive Monomer Mixture was transferred into the vial. The vial wastightly capped, quickly moved into Compartment 2, via door 6, and placedon the mirrored surface 4, as shown in FIG. 2. The sample was placeddirectly under the space between the 2^(nd) and 3^(rd) lamps in the 4lamps arrangement. The light source 3, was turned on and the sample wasexposed for a specified time period. Although the light source was setat 4-5 mW/cm², the actual intensity reaching the sample is 0.7-1.3mW/cm², due the cap on the sample glass vials. After exposure, the lightsource 3, was turned off and the vial (with cap) was re-weighed todetermine the sample weight by difference. Using a calibrated 500-5000μL Eppendorf Pipet, 10 mL HPLC grade methanol was added to the vial.

Aliquots (100 μL) of the Reactive Monomer Mixture were pipetted intoseparate borosilicate glass scintillation vials and the above proceduredescribed above was performed to generate samples at the followingminimum time points (minutes): 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.

Cured polymers were extracted in methanol overnight by gently shaking atroom temperature.

Extracts were analyzed for residual components by High PerformanceLiquid Chromatography with UV detection (HPLC/UV) using the followingprocedures.

Quantitation of the mPDMS in the extracts was performed against externalcalibration standards (about 6-11, using the response of the n=6oligomer), typically covering the range of 1 μg/mL-800 μg/mL. If theconcentrations of mPDMS in the extracts were outside the calibrationrange, the extracts were diluted with methanol to render concentrationswithin the calibration range for more accurate quantitation.

Chromatographic Conditions

Column: Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB18, 4.6×50 mm×1.8 μm

Column Temperature: 30° C. UV Detector: 217 nm Injection Volume: 20 μLMobile Phase Eluent A: De-ionized Eluent B: Acetonitrile Eluent C:Isopropanol

Flow Rate: 1 mL/min

Time (mins) % A % B % C 0.0 50 48 2 0.5 50 48 2 2.0 0 60 40 5.0 0 60 405.1 0 30 70 8.0 0 30 70 8.1 50 48 2 10.0 50 48 2Quantitation of the components in the extracts other than mPDMS wasperformed against external calibration standards (about 6-11) for eachcomponent, typically covering the range of 1 μg/mL-800 μg/mL. If theconcentrations of components in the extracts were outside thecalibration range, the extracts were appropriately diluted with methanolto render concentrations within the calibration range for more accuratequantitation.

Chromatographic Conditions

Column: Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus 18, 4.6×75 mm×1.8 μm

Column Temperature: 30° C. UV Detector: 217 nm Injection Volume: 5 μLMobile Phase

Eluent A: De-ionized water with 0.05% H₃PO₄Eluent B: Acetonitrile with 0.05% H₃PO₄

Eluent C: Methanol

Flow Rate: 1 mL/min

Time (mins) % A % B % C 0 95 5 0 5 95 5 0 15 0 100 0 23 0 100 0 24 0 3070 28 0 30 70 29 95 5 0 35 95 5 0

Calculations

1. At each time point the following values are determined:The concentration (μg/mL) of each component in the sample extract.The concentration of each component in the sample extract, expressed asa percent of the sample weight as follows:

% Component=[(μg/mL*Volume of Extract*Dilution Factor*10⁻⁶ g/μg)/(gSample Weight)]*100

The percent unreacted component present, expressed as a percent relativeto T₀ (where T₀ represented 100% unreacted component)

% at T _(x)=(% Measured at T _(x)/% Measured at T ₀)*100

-   -   -   2. Using the % Component calculated above, the concentration            of each component in μmoles/g, is calculated as follows:

μmoles/g=(% Component*10³)/(Molecular Weight of Component)

-   -   -   3. Using the concentration of each component determined in            μmoles/g in step 2, the concentration at Time_(x) was            expressed as

Log [A _(x) ]/[A ₀],

where [A_(x)] is the concentration of component A at x minutes and[A₀] is the concentration of component A at 0 minutes (T₀)

The expression Log [A_(x)]/[A₀] was determined for each time point.

First order kinetics were assumed for determining both thepolymerization kinetics rate and half life for each component. Thefollowing equations were used for calculating polymerization rate

Log [A]/[A ₀ ]=−kt/2.303

and half life

ln [A ₀]/[0.5A ₀ ]=kt _(1/2) or t _(1/2)=0.693/k

For each component, a plot of Log [A_(x)]/[A₀] versus time (minutes) wasgenerated. Typically, the data points (x, y) that best correspond tolinear growth (shorter cure times) were plotted and the data were fittedto a linear equation.

Using the slope, the kinetic rate constant (k) of each component wasevaluated from the following equation:

k(minute⁻¹)=Slope*−2.303

The half-life (minutes) of each component was evaluated from thefollowing equation:

t _(1/2)=0.693/k

The evaluated half-life for each component was compared to the datagenerated for the percent of each component relative to T₀, at each timepoint. Typically for each component, the time taken to attain 50%consumption was close to the half-life based on 1^(st) order kinetics Incases where the two were significantly different (typically about 30%for half-life of less than about 1 minute, 25% for half-life less thanabout 2.5 minutes but greater than 1 minute and 20% for half-lifegreater than 2.5 minutes), the data points (x, y) were re-evaluated togenerate kinetic rate constants (k) which would provide half-lives(based on 1^(st) order considerations) more consistent (within 20%) withthe measured values.

The Examples below further describe this invention, but do not limit theinvention. They are meant only to suggest a method of practicing theinvention. Those knowledgeable in the field of contact lenses as well asother specialties may find other methods of practicing the invention.However, those methods are deemed to be within the scope of thisinvention.

Some of the other materials that are employed in the Examples areidentified as follows:

EXAMPLES

The following abbreviations are used in the examples below:FC Front mold curvesBC Back mold curvesSiMAA(3-methacryloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)propyl-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilane(Also known as SiGMA)

DMA N,N-dimethylacrylamide

HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylateHEAA hydroxyethylacrylamideHBMA 2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, prepared as in Synthetic Example 1HPMA 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (ACROS)DMHEMA dimethylhydroxyethylmethacrylate, prepared as in SyntheticExample 2mPDMS 800-1000 MW (M_(n)) monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-butylterminated polydimethylsiloxaneOH-mPDMSα-(2-hydroxy-1-methacryloxypropyloxypropyl)-w-butyl-decamethylpentasiloxane,(MW 612 g/mol), prepared as in Example 8 of US20100249356 A1Norbloc 2-(2′-hydroxy-5-methacrylyloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazoleD3O 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanolIPA isopropyl alcoholTAC triallylcyanurateTEGDMA tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylateTRIS 3-methacryloxypropyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silaneacPDMS bis-3-methacryloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxypropyl polydimethylsiloxane(MW about 1000 g/mole)CGI 819 bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphineoxideEtOAc ethyl acetateDA decanoic acidMacromer III Described in Example 25 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,203GMMA 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylateTAA t-amyl alcoholETOH ethanolSA-2 N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyl tetra(dimethylsiloxy)dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide, as shown in Formula XI

NVP N-vinylpyrrolidone

BHT butylated hydroxytoluenePVP poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)EGVE ethyleneglycol vinyl etherVINAL an ionic amide containing vinyl ether having the structure

and prepared in Example Synthetic Example 4BAE (Boric Acid Ester) was formed as follows:

1.24 parts of a 5% (wt) solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 299parts (wt) glycerol and 100 parts (wt) boric acid were added to areaction flask. The mixture was heated with stirring to 90° C. Vacuumwas applied to reduce the pressure to less than 6 torr as the mixturewas stirred for 155 minutes, with removal of water vapor. The pressurewas reduced to less than 2 torr and the reaction was continued for 2hours, or longer as needed until the % water of the mixture was reducedto less than 0.2% using a Karl Fischer test.

BAGE (Boric Acid Glycerol Ester) was formed as follows:

To BAE prepared as described above was added 624 parts (wt) glycerolwith stirring for 60 minutes at 35-40° C.

Comparative Example

A reaction mixture formed by mixing the components listed in Table 1with a diluent (50% ethanol/50% ethyl acetate) in mixtures of 80%reactive components/20% diluents. The reaction mixture was degassed byapplying vacuum at ambient temperature for about 17(±3) minutes. Thereaction mixture was then dosed into thermoplastic contact lens molds(front curves made from Zeonor, and back curves from polypropylene), andcured for about 20 minutes at 45° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere, usingPhilips TL 20W/03T fluorescent bulbs and 4-5 mW/cm². The resultinglenses were released from the front curve molds using deionized water atambient temperature transferred into vials containing borate bufferedsaline for at least 24 hours and then autoclaved at 122° C. for 30minutes. The resulting lenses were hazy, but felt lubricious when rubbedbetween the thumb and forefinger.

The percent haze was measured and the results are listed in Table 1.

Examples 1 and 2

The Comparative Example was repeated, except that the HEMA was increasedand NVP was decreased as shown in Table 1, below. The lenses werereleased from the front curve mold using mechanical force and extractedin di-ionized water at ambient temperature and pressure. Both lensesfelt lubricious when rubbed between the thumb and index finger. Thepercent haze was measured for both lenses and is shown in Table 1,below.

TABLE 1 Ex. # Ex. 1 Ex. 2 CE1 Component Wt % Wt % Wt % mPDMS 1000 20 2020 TRIS 20 20 20 NVP 47 39.25 52 HEMA 10.75 18.5 5.75 CGI 819 2 2 2TEGDMA 0.25 0.25 0.25 % Haze 22 15 259

The lenses of the Comparative Example 1 were very hazy, displaying ahaze value of 259%, while the lenses of Examples 1 and 2 haddramatically improved haze values of 22% and 15% respectively. Thelenses of the Comparative Example were so hazy that they could not beused as contact lenses.

Examples 3-13

A series of lens formulations were formed from the following components:

38.5 wt % mPDMS58.25 wt % NVP and HEMA, combined (individual amounts shown in Table 2).

2% Norbloc 1 wt % TEGDMA 0.25 CGI 819

The reactive components were mixed with a diluents (50% TAA/50% DA) in aratio of 80 wt % reactive components: 20 wt % diluent. The reactionmixtures were cast and cured into lenses following the process describedin Examples 1 and 2. Lenses were released in 50/50 ispropanol/water,extracted in 70/30 ispropanol/water and subsequently equilibrated inde-ionized water. Lenses were transferred into vials containing boratebuffered saline for at least 24 hours and then autoclaved at 122° C. for30 minutes. Lens properties were measured and are reported in Table 2,below.

TABLE 2 [HEMA] [NVP] HO:Si Mechanicals Ex# wt % wt % HEMA:NVP¹ (mol.) %H₂O % Haze DCA Mod. (psi) Elong. (%) Dk 3 5.75 52.50 0.0935 0.10 61.8(0.1) 479 (8)  62 (4) 53.2 (2.5) 162.6 (34.8) 102.1 4 6.75 51.50 0.1120.12 61.4 (0.2) 464 (20) 54 (6) 57.9 (3.6) 187.3 (51.1) 98.3 5 7.7550.50 0.131 0.14 58.9 (0.1) 233 (59) 58 (5) 61.6 (5.2) 189.8 (50.4)102.1 6 8.75 49.50 0.152 0.16 58.2 (0.2)  17 (17) 60 (5) 67.0 (3.9)157.4 (43.8) 100.3 7 9.75 48.50 0.172 0.17 60.0 (0.3)  5 (1) 59.5 (5) 70.6 (4)  159.2 (47.5) 96.3 8 10.75 47.50 0.193 0.19 59.1 (0.0)  8 (0)60 (7) 79.9 (1.9) 196.2 (24.6) 89.1 9 15.75 42.50 0.316 0.28 55.7 (0.0)11 (1) 70 (7) 97.5 (4.2) 192.8 (39.2) 83.5 10 18.75 39.50 0.405 0.3351.7 (0.1) 16 (2) * NW 102.5 (4.0)  180.6 (38.6) 77.3 11 21.75 36.500.509 0.39 49.7 (0.1) 44 (2) * NW 115.9 (3.1)  206.3 (53.8) 62.3 1225.75 32.50 0.677 0.46 46.5 (0.3) 112 (4)  * NW 119.6 (6.9)  199.5(46.6) 63.2 13 29.00 29.25 0.839 0.52 40.7 (0.2) 186 (3)  * NW 138.8(6.7)  190.7 (32.4) 59.7 ¹molar ratio * NW = Not Wettable

As can be seen from Examples 3-5, lenses made from reaction mixturescontaining less than about 8 wt % HEMA displayed very high haze values(>about 200%) which are unsuitable for a contact lens, while lenseshaving between about 9 and 22 wt % HEMA displayed exceptionally goodhaze values (9-44%). It should also be noted that lenses formed fromreaction mixtures having less than about 40 wt % NVP displayed poorwettabilities, and repelled water.

Examples 3-13 show that controlling the molar ratio of hydroxyl groupsto silicon in the formulations produces lenses having low haze. In theformulation of Examples 3-13, the desirable range for the HO:Si is fromabout 0.16 to about 0.4.

Examples 3 through 13 also show that as the amount of HEMA is increased,the Dk of the lenses decrease, even though the amount of thesilicone-containing component and silicon in the hydrogel remained thesame. Thus, where it is desirable to maximize Dk, the HEMA is limited toamounts sufficient to provide clear lenses, such as those with hazevalues less than about 50%. In Examples 3-13, this would be HEMAconcentrations between about 9 and about 16 wt % (Examples 6-9) whichdisplay both low haze and Dk values greater than about 90%.

As can be seen from the other reported lens properties (advancingcontact angle, water content, mechanicals and Dk), lenses with adesirable range of properties may be made using the teachings of thepresent application.

Examples 14-17

Example 8 was repeated, except that HEMA was replaced with thehydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate monomer shown in Table 3, below. The HPMAalso displayed low % haze (16%). However, the HBMA and DMHEMA displayedunacceptable % haze values above 500%.

TABLE 3 Ex. # Component HOMA:NVP HO:Si % H₂O % Haze DCA Mod. (psi)Elong. (%) Dk 8 HEMA 0.193 0.18 59.1 (0.0)  8 (0) 60 (7) 79.9 (1.9)196.2 (24.6) 89.1 14 HPMA 0.174 0.17 58.9 (0.1)  16 (0) 63 (5) 73.4(1.5) 230.1 (1.8)  98.5 15 HBMA 0.159 0.16 55.2 (0.2) 515 (4) NT NT NTNT 16 DMHEMA 0.159 0.16 62.3 (0.1) 519 (3) NT NT NT NT

Examples 17-22

Example 8 was repeated, except that the amount of hydroxylalkyl(meth)acrylate and NVP were varied to provide molar ratios of thehydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate:NVP of about 0.2. GMMA has two hydroxylgroups. Accordingly, formulations having two different concentrations ofGMMA were prepared, Example 21 (13.23 wt % GMMA, 0.408 ratio, countingboth hydroxyls) and Example 22 (6.62 wt % GMMA, 0.204, counting twohydroxyl).

Examples 20 and 21 produce hazy reaction mixtures which were not curedinto lenses. Examples 17-19 and 22 produced clear reaction mixtureswhich were cast into lenses following the procedure described in Example8. Lens properties were measured. The formulations and lens propertiesare shown in Table 4, below.

Comparing Examples 18 and 19 to Examples 15 and 16, respectively, it canbe seen that small changes in the HO:Si ratio from 0.16 for Examples 15and 16 to 0.19 in Examples 18 and 19 dropped the haze values from over500% to 15% or less. Thus, like Examples 3-13, very small changes in thehydroxyl alkyl monomer and the HO:ratio result in dramatic reductions inhaze.

Comparing Examples 21 and 22, it can be seen that when the molar amountof GMMA was adjusted to account for both hydroxyls, clear lenses wereformed. It is believed that Example 20, which included HEAA as thehydroxyalkyl monomer, did not provide wettable lenses because the HEAAcontains two polar groups, the amide and hydroxyl groups, making theHEAA more polar than the hydroxylalkyl methacrylates used in Examples17-19 and 21-22. It is believed that the increased polarity of HEAAcaused compatibility issues with the mPDMS. However, HEAA has thepotential to work with more polar silicones, such as SiMAA, OH-mPDMS,N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyltetra(dimethylsiloxy)dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide. Thus, a variety of hydroxylalkyl(meth)acrylate compounds can be used to form the hydrogels of thepresent invention.

TABLE 4 Example 17 18 19 20 21 22 Component HPMA HBMA DMHEMA HEAA GMMAGMMA NVP (wt %) 47.5 45.18 45.18 48.75 45.01 51.63 HOMA Cpd 10.75 13.0713.07 9.50 13.23 6.62 (wt %) HOMA:NVP 0.174 0.203 0.203 0.188 0.4080.204 (molar) HO:Si 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.38 0.19 % H₂O 58.9 (0.1) 54.560.4 NT* NT* 62.6 % Haze 16 (0) 8 15 NT* NT* 12 DCA 63 (5) 46 70 NT* NT*49 MOD (psi) 73.4 (1.4) 120.5 68.7 NT* NT* 70.4 Elong (%) 230.1 (1.8) 179.3 206.5 NT* NT* 203.5 Dk 93.4 93.4 90 NT* NT* 85.3 NT* = Not Tested

Examples 23-24

Example 8 was repeated, except that the NVP was replaced with either DMA(Example 25) or VMA (Example 24). Example 24 cured poorly. The lenseswere difficult to demold and felt sticky and tacky. The lenses ofExample 23 cured well, and were very clear, but repelled water. Theresults and other lens properties are summarized in Table 5, below.

TABLE 5 Example 8 Example 23 Example 24 Component Wt % wt % wt % mPDMS1000 38.50 38.50 38.50 NVP 47.50 0.00 0.00 DMA 0.00 0.00 47.50 ¹VMA 0.0047.50 0.00 HEMA 10.75 10.75 10.75 TEGDMA 1.00 1.00 1.00 Norblock 2.002.00 2.00 CGI 819 0.25 0.25 0.25 Diluent 20.00 20.00 20.00 TAA 50.0050.00 50.00 DA 50.00 50.00 50.00 % H₂O 59 NT 51.7 % Haze 9 NT 7 DCA 54NT * MOD (psi) 70 NT 134.2 Elong (%) 245 NT 136.9 Dk 91 NT NT NT = NotWettable

Examples 25-30

The hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate, HEMA was replaced with siliconecontaining hydroxyl(alkyl) methacrylates SiMAA, SA-2 or HO-mPDMS. Thelens formulations shown in Table 6 were prepared, cured and autoclavedas described in Example 1. Each of the formulations formed a clearreactive mixture. The lenses of Examples 26-28 were visibly hazy, butExample 28 did display an acceptable advancing dynamic contact angle(72°). No further properties were measured for these lenses.Surprisingly, as shown by Examples 26 and 27, SiMAA was an insufficientcompatibilizer to replace all of the hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate when asilicone without a hydroxyl group, such as mPDMS was present. However,clear lenses could be made without a hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate whenSiMAA was the only silicone used, as shown by Examples 29 and 30.However, these lenses displayed relatively low Dk values, less than 50barrers and very high moduli. Examples 27 and 28 show that HO-mPDMS andSA2 were also insufficient to form clear lenses even when they were theonly silicone in the formulations. When the HO: Si ratios of the lensesof Examples 26-30 are calculated using only hydroxyl-containingcomponents without Si, the ratios for each of Examples 26-30 are 0.

TABLE 6a Example 25 26 27 28 29 30 Component SiMAA SiMAA OH-mPDMS (n =4) SA2 SiMAA SiMAA mPDMS 1000 38.50 16.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 NVP 23.3545.18 45.18 45.18 45.18 61.85 HOSiMA Cpd 34.90 34.90 51.57 51.57 51.5734.90 HOSiMA:NVP (molar) 0.393 0.203 0.207 0.237 NC NC HO_(total):Si0.12 0.19 0.2 0.4 0.33 0.33 TEGDMA 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Norbloc2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 CGI 819 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25Diluent 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 TAA 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.0050.00 50.00 DA 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00

TABLE 6b Ex. Mechanicals # % H₂O % Haze DCA Mod. (psi) Elong. (%) Dk 28NT 117 (4)   72 (21) NT NT NT 30 60.7 (0.2) 7 (0) 33 (3) 370.8 (30.1)130.5 (22.9) 41 29 45.4 (0.3) 7 (0) 37 (4) 705.2 (81.7) 122.2 (14.7) 46

Examples 31-40

Additional formulations were made which contain both a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate a silicone containing hydroxyl(alkyl) methacrylates asshown in Table 7 below. The reactive components for each formulationwere blended with 20 wt % diluents (a 50:50 blend of EtOH and EtOAC).

TABLE 7 Example 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 % % % % % % % % % %Component mPDMS 1000 20 20 20 20 20 00 0 20 20 20 TRIS 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 020 20 OH-mPDMS, 0 0 0 20 20 40 40 0 0 0 n = 4 SiMAA 0 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 00 Macromer III 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 acPDMS 1000 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NVP49 52 47 52 47 52 47 47 52 47.00 HEMA 5.75 5.75 10.75 5.75 10.75 5.7510.75 10.75 5.75 10.75 TEGDMA 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CGI 819 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Property % H₂O 46.4 (0.2) 53.9 (0.7)51.8 (0.1) NT 54.1 (0.2) 55.6 (0.1) 53.5 (0.1) 43.6 (0.7) 57.5 (0.2)57.3 (0.1) HO:Si 0.11 0.25 0.36 0.20 0.30 0.34 0.45 ? 0.11 0.20 % Haze260 (10) 193 (21) 12 (0) NT 22 (1) 163 (6)  12 (1) 64 (9) 259 (36) 22(0) DCA  75 (16) 55 (4) 52 (2) NT 50 (5) 58 (1) 56 (3) NT 63 (9) NT DkNT NT 62 NT 88 NT 73 NT NT 84

Examples 31, 32, 36 and 39 were all extremely hazy (haze values greaterthan 100%), due to the insufficient levels of hydroxylalkyl(meth)acrylate (5.75 wt %) given the amount and type of siliconecomponents, and the poor diluent, ethanol/ethyl acetate. Example 34 wasalso extremely hazy and its properties were not measured. Examples 31and 39 contain the most silicon, the lowest HO:Si ratios, and thehighest haze values. Example 32 has the same amount of HEMA (5.75 wt %)as Example 39, but with 20 wt % mPDMS and 20 wt % HO-mPDMS. The additionof 20 wt % Ho-MPDMS to the formulation increases the HO:Si ratio from0.11 to 0.25 and decreases the haze by 50%, from 259 to 163. Replacingall the mPDMS with HO-mPDMS (40%, Example 36) raises the HO:Si ratio anddecreased the haze to 163% from (259%), which is a substantial decrease,but still undesirably hazy. Replacing mPMDS or TRIS with a hydroxylcontaining silicone, such as SiMAA or HO-mPDMS, reduced haze, but notenough form a clear lens with a balance of other desirable properties.Thus, silicone-containing hydroxyl components such as SiMAA or HO-mPDMS,do not have the same effect on clarity as hydroxyalkyl monomers. Evensubstantial amounts of a hydroxyl functionalized silicone, which havebeen disclosed to be useful compatibilizers, did not form clear lenses.

Example 60, (5.75 wt % HEMA, 20.5 wt % mPDMS and a HO:Si of 0.19),displayed a haze level of 7%. Examples 68-73 (which contain 6.75% HEMA,16.5 wt % mPDMS and 27.5 HO-mPDMS and have a HO:Si of 0.24) have hazevalues which range between 2-17%. Thus, small changes in theconcentration of non-silicone containing hydroxyalkyl monomer and theHO:Si ratio can dramatically improve the clarity of the resultinghydrogels at the lower limits. Also, polar diluents, such as thosedisclosed in the present invention can improve the haze values at lowerconcentrations, such as those in Examples 34 and 36.

The remaining Examples displayed dramatically improved haze values (lessthan 100% haze). The lenses of Example 38 displayed some haze as notedby the 64% haze value, and were also non-wettable. Examples 31-40 showthat even with a silicone containing hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate, molaramounts of the hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate to N-vinylamide monomer mustbe maintained to produce a lens having the desired level of clarity.

Examples 41-48

Additional reaction mixtures were made varying the diluents system usedand the siloxane components as shown in Table 8, below. All mixtureswere formed using 80 wt % reactive components and 20 wt % diluents. Thelenses were molded, cured, processed and sterilized according to theprocedure described in Example 1, above. The lens properties weremeasured and are shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Ex 41 Ex 42 Ex 43 Ex 44 mPDMS 20 20 20 20 TRIS 18.5 18.5 18.518.5 NVP 47.5 47.5 47.5 47.5 HEMA 10.75 10.75 10.75 10.75 TEGDMA 1 1 1 1Norbloc 2 2 2 2 CGI819 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Diluent 1:1 EtOAc:EtOH TAAD3O 1:1 TAA:DA EWC 46.0 ± 1.6% 55.5 ± 0.1% 58.9 ± 0.1% 57.4 ± 0.1% Haze50 ± 19 10 ± 2 12 ± 1 7 ± 0 DCA NT NT 66 ± 4° 69 ± 6° Modulus 100 ± 13psi 83 ± 9 psi 80 ± 7 psi 88 ± 6 psi Elongation 305 ± 105% 330 ± 49% 307± 39% 285 ± 73% Dk NT 80 64 75 NT = No tested

TABLE 9 Ex 45** Ex 46 Ex 47** Ex 48 mPDMS 38.5 38.5 38.5 38.5 NVP 47.547.5 47.5 47.5 HEMA 10.75 10.75 10.75 10.75 TEGDMA 1 1 1 1 Norbloc 2 2 22 CGI819 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 diluent 1:1 TAA D3O 1:1 TAA:DA EtOAc:EtOHEWC ** 56.3 ± 0.2% ** 59 ± 0.1% Haze ** 8 ± 0 ** 9 ± 1 DCA ** 74 ± 2° **54 ± 3° Modulus ** 62 ± 9 psi ** 70 ± 5 psi % Elongation ** 252 ± 63% **245 ± 62% Dk ** 107 ** 91 **Blends were immiscibleThe blends of Examples 45 and 47 were immiscible and were not cast intolenses. These Examples show that a wide range of diluents may be used toform the lenses of the present invention. These examples also show thatsecondary alcohols provide formulations with a desirable balance ofproperties, including clarity and modulus, when photocured. The ethylacetate/ethanol diluent did not form miscible blend when no TRIS wasincluded in the reaction mixture. Even with TRIS, the ethylacetate/ethanol diluent, the lenses of Example 41 displayed higher andmore variable haze values (50±19) than Examples 42-44, which displayedhaze values between 7-12%.

Examples 49-53

A series of lens formulations were formed having the components listedin Table 10, below. The reactive components were mixed with diluent(TAA) in a ratio of 80 wt % reactive components:20 wt % diluent. Thereaction mixture was degassed by applying vacuum at ambient temperaturefor about 17(±3) minutes. The reaction mixture was then dosed intothermoplastic contact lens molds (front curves made from Zeonor, andback curves from polypropylene), and cured for about 20 minutes at 45°C., under a nitrogen atmosphere, using Philips TL 20W/03T fluorescentbulbs and 4-5 mW/cm². Lenses were released in 50/50 ispropanol/water,extracted in 70/30 ispropanol/water and subsequently equilibrated inde-ionized water. Lenses were transferred into vials containing boratebuffered saline for at least 24 hours and then autoclaved at 122° C. for30 minutes. Lens properties were measured and are reported in Table 11,below.

TABLE 10 Comp. Ex49 Ex50 Ex51 Ex52 Ex53 Ex 54 Ex 55 Ex 56 Ex 57 Ex 58mPDMS 1000 29.5 35.5 38.5 41.5 44.5 20.5 25.5 29.5 38.5 41.5 NVP 60.554.5 51.5 48.5 45.5 69.5 64.75 59.75 50.75 47.75 GMA 6.75 6.75 6.75 6.756.75 5.75 5.75 6.75 6.75 6.75 TEGDMA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75Norbloc 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 CGI 819 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25

TABLE 11 Ex. % H₂O % Haze DCA Mod. (psi) Elong. (%) HO:Si Dk 49 68.2(0.3) 5 (0) 47 (5) 53.5 (3.8) 197.1 (53.2) 0.26 63 50 65.2 (0.2) 6 (1)50 (4) 65.6 (4.7) 187.6 (40.9) 0.21 85 51 64.3 (0.2) 9 (0) 48 (9) 56.6(6.9) 202.0 (53.3) 0.20 82 52 63.0 (0.2) 10 (0)  57 (5) 64.1 (4.5) 190.4(63.5) 0.18 93 53 55.4 (0.1) 11 (1)  57 (7) 76.1 (4.5) 200.2 (70.6) 0.17110 54 69.4 (0.4) 7 (0)  46 (11) 55.7 (4.0) 145.4 (28.2) 0.31 52.6 5567.3 (0.1) 5 (1) 40 (6) 56.6 (4.1) 165.7 (24.8) 0.25 77.8 56 63.4 (0.2)7 (1) 49 (6) 78.5 (2.6) 145.8 (33.8) 0.26 73.7 57  60 (0.2) 2 (1) 43 (3) 91.2 (13.1) 148.5 (28.5) 0.20 91.9 58 58.6 (0.4) 5 (1)  38 (11)  99.3(11.6) 150.7 (27.8) 0.18 97

All of the lenses displayed excellent haze and advancing contact anglesand desirably low moduli. Materials having a range of oxygenpermeabilities, from 65 to 110 barrers, were produced.

The lenses of Examples 54-58 were measured for lipcalin, mucin andlysozyme uptake. The % active lysozyme was also measured. The resultsare shown in Table 12, below.

TABLE 12 Lipocalin Mucin Lysozyme % Active Ex. # (μg/Lens) (μg/Lens)(μg/Lens) Lysozyme 54 4.17 (0.66) 5.73 (0.17) 7.21 (0.19) 86.00 (9.00)55 3.57 (0.31) 5.81 (0.21) 7.92 (0.45) 83.00 (6.24) 56 3.16 (0.59) 5.72(0.43) 7.95 (0.50) 77.00 (6.00) 57 2.73 (0.24) 5.74 (0.67) 8.07 (0.22)81.00 (6.08) 58 3.05 (0.40) 5.40 (0.44) 8.49 (0.21) 81.33 (8.74)As shown by the data in Table 12, the lenses of Examples 54-58 displayeddesirably low lipocalin and mucin uptake. Also, the majority of thelysozyme remained in the active form.

Examples 59-67

A series of lens formulations were formed having the components listedin Table 13, below. The reactive components were mixed with diluents(1:1 TAA:decanoic acid) in a ratio of 80 wt % reactive components:20 wt% diluent. The reaction mixture was degassed by applying vacuum atambient temperature for about 17(±3) minutes. The reaction mixture wasthen dosed into thermoplastic contact lens molds (front curves made fromZeonor, and back curves from polypropylene), and cured for about 20minutes at 45° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere, using Philips TL 20W/03Tfluorescent bulbs and 4-5 mW/cm². Lenses were released in 50/50ispropanol/water, extracted in 70/30 ispropanol/water and subsequentlyequilibrated in de-ionized water. Lenses were transferred into vialscontaining borate buffered saline for at least 24 hours and thenautoclaved at 122° C. for 30 minutes. Lens properties were measured andare reported in Table 14, below.

TABLE 13 Ex. # mPDMS NVP HEMA TEGDMA Norbloc CGI 819 59 20.50 65.5010.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 60 20.50 70.50 5.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 61 29.50 56.5010.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 62 35.50 50.50 10.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 63 38.50 47.5010.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 64 41.50 44.50 10.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 65 44.50 41.5010.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 66 47.50 38.50 10.75 1.00 2.00 0.25 67 50.50 35.5010.75 1.00 2.00 0.25

TABLE 14 [mPDMS] [HEMA] [NVP] % % Mechanicals Ex. # % % % HO:Si H₂O HazeDCA Mod. (psi) Elong. (%) Dk 59 20.5 10.75 65.5 0.36 70.5 (0.2) 4 (1) 55(6) 51.0 (6.3) 208.7 (37.5) 48.9 60 20.5 5.75 70.5 0.19 78.1 (0.1) 6 (0)50 (6) 30.8 (2.6) 224.9 (29.6) 58.1 61 29.5 10.75 56.5 0.25 65.2 (0.2) 7(0) 56 (4) 59.1 (1.8) 204.6 (21.4) 63.6 62 35.5 10.75 50.5 0.21 63.2(0.3) 7 (0) 53 (4) 64.3 (3.2) 208.4 (34.3) 75.0 63 38.5 10.75 47.5 0.1959.0 (0.1) 9 (1) 54 (3) 70.1 (5.1) 245.0 (62.1) 91.0 64 41.5 10.75 44.50.18 NT NT NT NT NT NT 65 44.5 10.75 41.5 0.17 52.2 (0.3) 9 (0) 56 (5)93.7 (5.6) 162.9 (22.4) 114.2 66 47.5 10.75 38.5 0.16 51.6 (0.3) 9 (1)63 (7) 89.5 (5.3) 163.2 (56.1) 118.4 67 50.5 10.75 35.5 0.15 47.0 (0.4)10 (1)  119 (4)  103.7 (7.3)  153.7 (39.7) 134.9

As can be seen from the data in Table 14, the present invention providesa wide range of formulations which produce contact lenses having verylow haze. The silicone component, mPDMS could be included in amounts upto about 50 wt % and still produce contact lenses having a desirablebalance of water content, advancing contact angle and oxygenpermeability. The properties of the lenses of Example 64 were nottested. All the formulations had HO: Si within the ranges of the presentinvention.

Examples 68-73

A reaction mixture was formed by mixing the components listed in Table15 and degassed by applying vacuum at ambient temperature for about17(±3) minutes. The amounts of the reaction components are listed as theweight % of reaction components, without diluent. The reaction mixturewas mixed with the diluents listed in Table 16 to form the reactionmixtures. The reaction mixture (75 μL) was then dosed at roomtemperature and <0.1% O₂, into thermoplastic contact lens molds(FC—Zeonor, BC Polypropylene) which had been degassed in N₂ box at RT(Compartment 1, FIG. 1) for a minimum of 12 hours prior to dosing. TheBC was placed on the FC mold to produce 8 BC/FC assemblies in a pallet.Eight pallets were prepared, moved into the cure compartment(Compartment 2) and placed on a mirrored surface. A quartz plate (12.50mm×6.25 mm×0.50 mm) was placed over each pallet and the lenses were andcured for 20 minutes, at an intensity of 4-5 mW/cm², <0.1% O₂, and62-65° C.

The molds for all the lenses were manually demolded (lenses remained inFC). The lenses were dry released by pressing on the back of the frontcurve. Lenses were extracted in DI water

All lenses were stored in borate buffered packing solution in lens vialsand sterilized at 122° C. for 30 minutes. The properties of the lensesare shown in Table 17.

TABLE 15 Base Formulation Component % mPDMS 1000 16.50 OH-mPDMS, n = 427.50 NVP 46.55 HEMA 6.75 EGDMA 0.45 Norbloc 1.75 CGI 819 0.50 The HO:Siratio for the formulations of these Examples were 0.24.

TABLE 16 Diluent System Ex # 68 69 70 71 72 73 Diluent NONE 100% 50/5050/50 70/30 50/50 @ 10% TAM TAM/ TAM/ TAM/ TAM/ BA BAGE BAGE PG Level0.00  10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 TAM N/A 100.00 50.00 50.00 70.0050.00 BAGE N/A N/A N/A 50.00 30.00 N/A BA N/A N/A 50.00 N/A N/A N/A PGN/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 50.00

TABLE 17 Residual % % Mechanicals Diameter NVP % @ Lens H₂O Haze DCAMod. (psi) Elong. (%) Dk (mm) 20 min. 68 53.7 (0.1)  9 (1) 40 (5) 136(16)  142 (42) 98 13.95 (0.11) 1.76 (0.01) 69 54.6 (0.3)  8 (1) 47 (4)127 (17)  163 (36) 93 13.62 (0.16) 2.08 (0.12) 70 60.0 (0.2) 17 (0) 82(8) 92 (13) 138 (40) 98 14.38 (0.03) 0.44 (0.03) 71 60.8 (0.2) 17 (1) 84(4) 78 (10) 162 (34) 95 14.53 (0.03) 0.27 (0.00) 72 60.4 (0.3) 13 (2) 79(6) 90 (11) 134 (39) 96 14.49 (0.03) 0.27 (0.01) 73 60.5 (0.2)  2 (0) 81(6) 87 (12) 121 (40) 97 14.41 (0.04) 0.49 (0.04)

Example 68 displayed very low haze (9%) and advancing contact angle)(40°, but a modulus of 136, which in some cases is higher than desired.In Examples 69 through 73 various diluent mixtures were evaluated todetermine their impact on lens properties. In each of Example 69 through73, 10% diluent was added, with different polyhydric alcohols ascodiluents. As can be seen from Examples 70 through 73 the inclusion ofa polyhydric alcohol decreased the modulus of the resulting lenses by upto about 40%. The lenses of Examples 68 and 69 displayed higher thandesired deviations in lens diameter, due to their high levels ofextractibles at the end of cure. Examples 70-73 show that inclusion of apolyhydric component as a codiluent can reduce the level ofextractibles, and the variation in lens diameter.

Examples 74-79

A reaction mixture was formed by mixing the components listed in Table18 and degassed by applying vacuum at ambient temperature for about17(±3) minutes. The reaction mixture (75 μL) was then dosed at roomtemperature and <0.1% O₂, into thermoplastic contact lens molds(FC—Zeonor, BC Polypropylene) which had been degassed in N₂ box at RT(Compartment 1, FIG. 1) for a minimum of 12 hours prior to dosing. TheBC was placed on the FC mold and the lenses were moved into Compartment2 and cured for 20 minutes, at an intensity of 4-5 mW/cm², <0.1% O₂, and62-65° C.

The molds for all the lenses were mechanically separated demolded(lenses remained in FC). The lenses were dry released by pressing on theback of the front curve. Lenses were extracted in DI water.

All lenses were stored in borate buffered packing solution in lens vialsand sterilized at 122° C. for 30 minutes. The properties of the lensesare shown in Table 19.

TABLE 18 BAGE (Wt. %) 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.5% Ex# 74 75 76 77 7879 mPDMS1000 16.50 16.50 16.50 16.50 16.50 16.50 OH-mPDMS, 27.50 27.5027.50 27.50 27.50 27.50 n = 4 NVP 46.55 46.55 46.55 46.55 46.55 46.55HEMA 6.75 6.75 6.75 6.75 6.75 6.75 EGDMA 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45Norbloc 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 CGI 819 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.500.50 Diluent 0 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 TAM 0 100.00 90.00 80.00 70.0050.00 BAGE 0 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 50.00

TABLE 19 Mechanicals Diam- % % Mod. Elong. eter Residual Lens H₂O HazeDCA (psi) (%) Dk (mm) NVP % 74 54  7 41 133 170 95 14.09 0.80  (0)  (0) (7)  (8)  (31) (0.08) (0.00) 75 56  8 36 130 178 93 13.96 0.19  (0) (1) (13)  (8)  (33) (0.05) (0.01) 76 56 10 48 115 193 101 14.04 0.17 (0)  (1)  (4)  (7)  (28) (0.05) 90.00) 77 57 18 62 110 159 98 14.270.22  (0)  (1)  (8)  (9)  (22) (0.05) (0.01) 78 58 18 84 107 157 9414.55 0.21  (0)  (1)  (6)  (8)  (31) (0.02) (0.00) 79 59 15 83  99 16993 14.60 0.27  (0)  (1)  (6)  (7)  (39) (0.05) (0.00)

Example 74 contained no diluent and displayed desirably low haze andadvancing contact angle. Examples 75 through 79 comprised 5 wt %diluent, with Examples 76 through 79 containing between 0.5 and 2.5 wt %BAGE as a codiluent. Examples 76 and 77 displayed desirable advancingcontact angles and reduced modulus compared with both the no diluentformulation of Example 74 and Example 75 which contained t-amyl alcoholas the only diluent. Examples 76 through 79 also displayed stablediameters and low residual NVP at the end of the cure.

Examples 80-86

The reaction components listed in Table 20 were combined with thediluents listed in Table 21. The resulting reaction mixtures weredispensed into lens molds, cured, and processed as described in Examples74-79. The properties of the lenses were measured and are shown in Table22, below.

TABLE 20 Base Formulation Component % mPDMS 1000 16.50 OH-mPDMS, n = 427.50 NVP 44.55 HEMA 8.75 EGDMA 0.45 Norbloc 1.75 CGI 819 0.50

TABLE 21 Ex# 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 TAM None 5.0% 4.9% 4.75% 4.5% 4.0%2.5% PVP None None 0.1% 0.25% 0.5% 1.0% 2.5% K90

TABLE 22 Mechanicals % % Mod. Elong. Dia. Residual Lens H₂O Haze DCA(psi) (%) Dk (mm) NVP % 80 54 11 (1) 71 142 164 87 14.10 0.69  (0)  (6) (8)  (32) (0.05) 90.04) 81 55 10 (1) 48 144 153 99 13.98 0.13  (0)  (7) (7)  (31) (0.03) (0.01) 82 56 11 (1) 39 140 151 93 14.00 0.13  (0)  (8) (9)  (43) (0.02) (0.00) 83 56 11 (0) 64 132 181 94 13.99 0.13  (0) (10) (10)  (30) (0.04) (0.02) 83 55 11 (1) 55 115 188 97 14.02 0.14  (0) (4)  (13)  (36) (0.04) (0.01) 85 55 14 (1) 54 117 105 98 14.03 0.17 (0) (10)  (12)  (20) (0.05) (0.01) 86 55 36 (5) 64 122 199 90 14.130.27  (0)  (7)  (11)  (34) (0.06) (0.1)

Small amounts of PVP (0.1 to 2.5 w % based upon all components in thereaction mixtures) were added with the diluent. Amounts of PVP betweenabout 0.5 and 2.5 wt % (Examples P-R) reduced modulus without negativelyimpacting advancing contact angle. The decrease in modulus is surprisingbased upon the small amount of PVP added, and the fact that the PVP used(molecular weight, K90) is a viscous liquid. Generally increasing theviscosity of the reaction mixture tends to increase modulus.

Examples 87-89, and Comparative Example 2

Each reaction mixture was formed by mixing the components listed inTable 23 and degassed by applying vacuum at ambient temperature forabout 17(±3) minutes. The reaction mixture (75 μL) was then dosed atroom temperature and <0.1% O₂, into thermoplastic contact lens molds(FC—Zeonor, BC Polypropylene) which had been degassed in N₂ box at RT(Compartment 1, FIG. 1) for a minimum of 12 hours prior to dosing. TheBC was placed on the FC mold and the lenses were moved into Compartment2 and cured for 20 minutes, an intensity of 4-5 mW/cm², <0.1% O₂, and62-65° C.

The molds were mechanically separated demolded (lenses remained in FC).The lenses were dry released by pressing on the back of the front curve.Lenses were extracted in DI water and equilibrated in borate bufferedpacking solution in lens vials and sterilized at 122° C. for 30 minutes.

The properties of the lenses were measured and are shown in Table 24,below.

TABLE 23 Component Ex 87 Ex 88 Ex. 89 CE 2 mPDMS 1000 16.50 16.50 16.5016.50 OH-mPDMS, 27.50 27.50 27.50 27.50 n = 4 NVP 46.55 46.05 45.5544.05 HEMA 6.75 6.75 6.75 6.75 DMA 0.00 0.50 1.00 2.50 EGDMA 0.45 0.450.35 0.45 Norbloc 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 CGI 819 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

TABLE 24 Mechanicals Mod. Lens % H₂O % Haze DCA (psi) Elong. (%) Dk Ex87 54 (0)  9 (0) 50 (4)  111 (12) 148 (39) 98 Ex 88 54 (0) 11 (1) 58 (9)117 (8) 167 (36) 97 Ex 89 55 (0) 10 (1) 64 (4) 122 (9) 170 (27) 97 CE 254 (0) 10 (0)  93 (11) 100 (7) 146 (31) 100

Examples 88 and 89 show that small amounts of non-hydroxyl containinghydrophilic monomers, which are not slow reacting hydrophilic monomersmay be incorporated into the formulations of the present inventionwithout losing wettability.

Examples 90-105

The effect of crosslinker on lens properties was evaluated using thebase formulation in Table 25, and the crosslinker type, amount and theconcentration of NVP shown in Table 26, with concentration of thereactive components (excluding diluent) adding up to 100 wt %.

TABLE 25 Base Formulation Component % mPDMS 1000 19 OH-mPDMS, n = 427.50 NVP 44.55 HEMA 6.75 Norbloc 1.75 CGI 819 0.50 TAM 5

TABLE 26 Ex # [NVP] [EGDMA] [AMA] [HEMA-Vc] 90 44.25 0.25 0 0 91 44 0.50 0 92 43.5 1 0 0 93 43 1.5 0 0 94 44.34 0 0.16 0 95 44.18 0 0.32 0 9643.87 0 0.63 0 97 43.56 0 0.94 0 98 44.25 0 0 0.25 99 44 0 0 0.5 10043.5 0 0 1 101 43 0 0 1.5 102 44.05 0.45 0 0 103 43.05 0.45 0 1 10442.05 0.45 0 2 105 41.05 0.45 0 3

The reaction mixtures were degassed by applying vacuum at ambienttemperature for about 17(±3) minutes. The reaction mixture (75 μL) wasthen dosed at room temperature and <0.5% O₂, into thermoplastic contactlens molds (FC—Zeonor, BC Polypropylene) which had been degassed in N₂box at RT (Compartment 1, FIG. 1) for a minimum of 12 hours prior todosing. The BC was placed on the FC mold and the lenses were moved intoCompartment 2 and cured for 20 minutes, at an intensity of 4-5 mW/cm²,<0.1% O₂, and 62-65° C.

The molds were manually demolded (lenses remained in FC) and lenses werereleased in 50/50 iPA/H₂O (8 pallets, 8 lenses per pallet), 1 Lsolution, 1 hour.

Lenses were “stepped down” into PS in the following order: 25/75 iPA/H₂O(10 mins), H₂O (30 mins), H₂O (10 mins), H₂O (10 mins) and stored inborate buffered packing solution in lens vials and sterilized at 122° C.for 30 minutes.

The ability of the lenses to recover from mechanical stress, such asfolding was evaluated. A crease was generated in each lens by placing afolded unsterilized lens between two rectangular glass plates (12.5cm×6.3 cm×0.5 cm (˜113 g)) for five minutes. The lens was subsequentlysterilized and visually inspected using a DL2 (17.5×) and Optimec, todiscern the level of recovery.

-   -   Increasing degrees of creasing/stress were created in        unsterilized lenses by using 2, 3, 4 or 5 top plates. The        results of the stress test are shown in Tables 27-30.

The stress test values for three commercial lenses, ACUVUE OASYS withHYDRACLEAR Plus, Biofinity and Clariti lenses as shown as controls.

The properties of the lenses were measured and are shown in Table 31.

TABLE 27 Post Sterilization Inspection - DL2 (17.5X) and Optimec Ex. #Control Lens (0 Plate) 1 Plate 2 Plates 3 Plates 4 Plates 5 Plates 90 GDL DL DL DL DL 91 G DL DL DL DL DL 92 G DL DL DL DL DL 93 G DL DL DL DLDL Oasys G G G G G G Clariti G G G G G G Biofinity G G G G G G G = Good(No Detectable Line) DL = Definitive Line

TABLE 28 Post Sterilization Inspection - DL2 (17.5X) and Optimec Ex #Control Lens (0 Plate) 1 Plate 2 Plates 3 Plates 4 Plates 5 Plates 94 GFL FL FL FL FL 95 G VFL VFL VFL VFL VFL 96 G G G G G G 97 G G G G G G G= Good (No Detectable Line) FL = Faint Line VFL = Very Faint Line

TABLE 29 Post Sterilization Inspection - DL2 (17.5X) and Optimec Ex. #Control (0 Lens Plate) 1 Plate 2 Plates 3 Plates 4 Plates 5 Plates 98 GFL FL FL FL FL 99 G FL FL FL FL FL 100 G G G G G G 101 G G G G G G G =Good (No Detectable Line) FL = Faint Line

TABLE 30 Post Sterilization Inspection - DL2 (17.5X) and Optimec Ex. #Control Lens (0 Plate) 1 Plate 2 Plates 3 Plates 4 Plates 5 Plates 102 GDL DL DL DL DL 103 G G G G G G 104 G G G G G G 105 G G G G G G

TABLE 31 Mechanicals Ex. # Elong. Lens % H₂O % Haze DCA Mod. (psi) (%)Dk 90 56 (0) 17 (1)  46 (6) 104 (9)  239 (52) 99 91 52 (0) 11 (2)  46(6) 156 (8)  174 (42) 99 92 46 (0) 8 (1)  41 (12) 326 (25)  52 (19) 10193 42 (1) 4 (0) 44 (3) 454 (51) 45 (6) 101 94 55 (0) 13 (1)  92 (3) 98(5)  259 (955) 104 95 52 (0) 7 (1)  8 (10) 135 (8)  203 (32) 101 96 47(0) 4 (0) 102 (7)  194 (13) 153 (27) 105 97 42 (0) 3 (0) 100 (5)  294(29)  93 (27) 92 98 55 (0) 12 (0)  82 (7)  97 (10) 266 (61) 95 99 51 (0)8 (1) 91 (9) 137 (6)  208 (48) 100 100 47 (1) 5 (1) 92 (8) 211 (11) 135(27) 103 101 44 (0) 5 (1) 102 (6)  284 (15)  85 (25) 99 102 NT NT 35 (7)155 (15) 165 (36) NT 103 NT NT  80 (12) 317 (38)  53 (21) NT 104 NT NT102 (18) 538 (48) 33 (7) NT 105 NT NT 109 (7)  678 (74) 33 (7) NT

Examples 106-112

Examples 90-93 were repeated using a mixture of EGDMA and TAC as shownin Table 32 below. The recovery of the lenses is shown in Table 33, andthe properties of the lenses are shown in Table 34.

TABLE 32 Ex# 106 107 108 109 110 111 NVP 44.30 44.20 44.10 44.00 43.8043.55 EGDMA 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 TAC 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.500.75

TABLE 33 Post Sterilization Inspection - DL2 (17.5X) and Optimec Ex. #Control (0 Lens Plate) 1 Plate 2 Plates 3 Plates 4 Plates 5 Plates 106 GDL DL DL DL DL 107 G VFL VFL VFL VFL VFL 108 G G G G G G 109 G G G G G G110 G G G G G G 111 G G G G G G

TABLE 34 Mechanicals Ex. # % % Mod. Lens H₂O Haze DCA (psi) Elong. (%)Dk 106 56 (0) 16 (1)  65 (4) 93 (9) 236 (72) 99 107 55 (0) 8 (0) 62 (4)132 (6)  217 (39) 101 108 55 (0) 5 (0) 62 (2) 124 (10) 258 (43) 94 10953 (0) 4 (1) 70 (4) 143 (16) 169 (53) 98 110 51 (0) 3 (0) 80 (7) 154(13) 133 (45) 94 111 48 (0) 3 (0) 97 (4) 170 (17) 180 (34) 88

Examples 112-117

Lenses were made using the formulations shown in Table 35 and theprocess described in Example 96. Lens properties were measured and areshown in Table 36.

TABLE 35 Ex.# 112 113 114 115 116 117 mPDMS 19.35 19.35 19.35 19.3519.35 19.35 1000 OH- 27.50 27.50 27.50 27.50 27.50 27.50 mPDMS (n = 4)VMA 0.00 8.00 12.00 22.00 32.00 44.00 HEMA 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50NVP 44.00 36.00 32.00 22.00 12.00 0.00 TEGDMA 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.200.20 TAC 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Norbloc 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.751.75 CGI 819 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Diluent 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00

TABLE 36 Mechanicals % % Mod. Res. Res. Lens H₂O Haze DCA (psi) Elong.(%) Dk NVP VMA 112 55 (0) 6 (0) 55 (3) 95 (6) 270 (34) 96 0.8  N/A(0.02) 113 56 (0) 6 (0) 67 (5) 104 (7)  233 (49) 100 NT NT 114 56 (0) 5(0) 58 (4) 100 (8)  258 (36) 100 0.51 1.15 (0.02) (0.08) 115 58 (0) 6(0) 56 (9) 91 (9) 223 (54) 96 0.4  2.2 (0.04) (0.2) 116 58 (0) 7 (0) 56(5)  92 (10) 260 (62) 103 0.3  2.98 (0.01) (0.06) 117 58 (0) 13 (2) 50(10) 86 (7) 262 (54) 106 N/A 4.52 (0.61)

Examples 118-120

A reaction mixture was formed by mixing the components listed in Table37 with 20 wt % of a 50:50 mixture of TAA and decanoic acid and degassedby applying vacuum at ambient temperature for about 17(±3) minutes. Thereaction mixture (75 μL) was then dosed at room temperature and <0.1%O₂, into thermoplastic contact lens molds (FC—Zeonor, BC Polypropylene)which had been degassed in N₂ box at RT (Compartment 1, FIG. 1) for aminimum of 12 hours prior to dosing. The BC was placed on the FC moldand the lenses were moved into Compartment 2 and cured for 20 minutes,at an intensity of 4-5 mW/cm², <0.1% O₂, and 62-65° C.

Lenses were released in 50/50 IPA/water, extracted in 70/30 IPA/waterand subsequently equilibrated in de-ionized water. Lenses weretransferred into vials containing borate buffered saline for at least 24hours and then autoclaved at 122° C. for 30 minutes. Lens propertieswere measured and are reported in Table 38, below.

TABLE 37 Component 118 119 120 mPDMS 1000 20.50 20.50 20.50 NVP 65.5070.50 72.50 DMA 0.00 0.00 0.00 HEMA 10.75 5.75 3.25 TEGDMA 1.00 1.001.50 Norbloc 2.00 2.00 2.00 CGI 819 0.25 0.25 0.25

TABLE 38 Mechanicals % Mod. Elong. HO:Si Ex.# % H₂O Haze DCA (psi) (%)Dk (mol) 118 70.5 4 (1) 55 (6) 51.0 (6.3) 208.7 48.9 0.36 (0.2) (37.5)119 78.1 6 (0) 50 (6) 30.8 (2.6) 224.9 58.1 0.19 (0.1) (29.6) 120 77.930 (1)  51 (7) 29.7 (2.2) 172.0 61.0 0.11 (0.3) (36.0)

Synthetic Example 2 Preparation of 2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate (HBMA)

A blend of 72 grams 1,2-epoxybutane (Aldrich), 0.85 g 4-methoxyphenol(Aldrich), and 6.5 g potassium hydroxide was stirred in a 500 ml roundbottomed flask equipped with an addition funnel and thermocouplethermometer. 172 g methacrylic acid was added via the addition funnel,and the blend was slowly to 75° C., and stirred overnight under an air,then increased to 88° C. for 4 hours. The mixture was cooled, and 700 mlof 2.0 N NaOH was added to the mixture in a separatory funnel. The upperlayer was washed with borate buffered saline three times. Ethyl ether(200 ml) was added to the combined saline washes to extract any product.The combined organic layers were dried over NaSO₄. The NaSO₄ wasfiltered out and the product was distilled (90-98° C./˜4 mm Hg). 17.5 gproduct was collected, to which was added 4 mg 4-methoxyphenol. ¹H NMR:6.1 ppm (1H, m), 5.5 (1H, m), 4.8 (0.25H m), 4.2 (0.64H, dd, 8.1 and11.7 Hz), 4.0 (0.64 Hz, dd, 6.9 and 11.4 Hz), 3.6-3.8 1.26H, m), 2.3(OH, br s), 1.9 (3H, m), 1.4-1.7 (2H, m), 0.9 (3H, m); consistent with ablend of 2-hydroxy-1-propylmethacrylate and1-hydroxy-2-propylmethacrylate.

Synthetic Example 3 Preparation of dimethylhydroxyethylmethacrylate

The same procedure as for HBMA was used, but substituting1,2-epoxy-2-methylpropane for the 1,2-epoxypropane. The product wasisolated by distillation at 47-48°/0.4-0.6 mm Hg. ¹H NMR: 6.1 ppm (1H,s), 5.5 (1H, m), 4.0 (2H, s), 2.1 (OH, br s), 1.9 (3H, s), 1.2 (6H, m);consistent 2-hydroxy-2-methyl propylmethacrylate(dimethylhydroxyethylmethacrylate).

Synthetic Example 4 Preparation of Vinal

4.82 g vinyl chloroformate was added to a mixture of 8.19 g β-alanine(Aldrich) in 74 ml acetonitrile. The resulting mixture was refluxed for2 hours, then cooled to room temperature and allowed to sit for 2 hours.It was filtered and solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Thecrude product was dissolved in 30 ml distilled water and washed threetimes with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate washes were washedwith 50 ml deionized water. Solvent was evaporated from the combinedethyl acetate washes to yield 4.5 g product as a fluffy yellowish solid.¹H NMR: 7.1 ppm (dd, 1H), 5.4 ppm (br s, OH), 4.7 ppm (dd, 1H), 4.4 ppm(dd, 1H), 3.5 ppm (q, 2H), 2.6 ppm (t, 2H).

1. (canceled)
 2. A silicone hydrogel formed from a reaction mixturecomprising, (a) from about 37 to about 70 wt % of at least one slowreacting monomer selected from the group consisting of N-vinylamidemonomer of Formula I, vinyl pyrrolidone of Formula II or IV:

wherein R is H or methyl; R₁, R₂, R₃, R₁₀, and R₁₁ are independentlyselected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃,C(CH₃)₂; R₄ is selected from the group consisting of CH₂, CHCH₃ andC(CH₃); R₅ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl; and R₉ is selected fromCH═CH₂, CCH₃═CH₂, and CH═CHCH₃; (b) at least one mono(meth)acryloxyalkyl polydialkylsiloxane monomer of Formula VII:

wherein R₁₂ is H or methyl; X is O or NR₁₆, Each R₁₄ is independently aC₁ to C₄ alkyl which may be fluorine substituted, or phenyl; R₁₅ is a C₁to C₄ alkyl; R₁₃ is a divalent alkyl group, which may further befunctionalized with a group selected from the group consisting of ethergroups, hydroxyl groups, carbamate groups and combinations thereof; a is3 to 50; R₁₆ is selected from H, C₁₋₄, which may be further substitutedwith one or more hydroxyl groups; (c) at least one hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer of Formula IX

wherein R₁ is H or methyl, X is O or NR₁₆, R₁₆ is a H, or C₁ to C₄alkyl, which may be further substituted with at least one OH; R₁₇ isselected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, andpoly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10 repeating units; wherein said at leastone hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide monomer and saidslow reacting monomer are present in mole percents which form a molarratio between about 0.15 and 0.4; and (d) and at least one crosslinkingmonomer.
 3. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein each R₃ isindependently selected from ethyl and methyl groups.
 4. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 wherein all R₃ are methyl.
 5. The silicone hydrogelof claim 2 wherein R₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆alkylene group which may be substituted with ether, hydroxyl andcombinations thereof.
 6. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₃ isselected from the group consisting of C₁ or C₃-C₆ alkylene groups whichmay be substituted with ether, hydroxyl and combinations thereof.
 7. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₆ is H or methyl.
 8. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₂ and each R₁₄ are methyl.
 9. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 wherein at least one R₁₄ is 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl.10. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₄ is methyl or2-hydroxyethyl.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer is selected from the vinylpyrrolidone of Formula II or IV or the N-vinyl amide monomer of FormulaI, having a total number of carbon atoms in R₁ and R₂ of 4 or less. 13.The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilicmonomer is selected from a vinyl pyrrolidone of Formula III or IV and R₆is methyl, R₇ is hydrogen, R₉ is CH═CH₂, R₁₀ and R₁₁ are H.
 14. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilicmonomer is selected from ethylene glycol vinyl ether (EGVE), di(ethyleneglycol) vinyl ether (DEGVE), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP),1-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, 1-methyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,5-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone; 1-ethyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,N-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, 5-ethyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,1-n-propyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,1-n-propyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,1-isopropyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,1-isopropyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-N-methyl acetamide (VMA),N-vinyl-N-ethyl acetamide, N-vinyl-N-ethyl formamide, N-vinyl formamide,N-vinyl acetamide, N-vinyl isopropylamide, allyl alcohol, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-2-hydroxyethyl vinyl carbamate, N-carboxy-β-alanineN-vinyl ester; N-carboxyvinyl-β-alanine (VINAL),N-carboxyvinyl-α-alanine and mixtures thereof.
 15. The silicone hydrogelof claim 2 wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer is selectedfrom the group consisting of N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylacetamide,1-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, 1-methyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone,5-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof.
 16. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilicmonomer is selected from the group consisting of NVP, VMA and1-methyl-5-methylene-2-pyrrolidone.
 17. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2wherein the slow-reacting hydrophilic monomer comprises NVP.
 18. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁ is H or methyl, X is oxygen andR is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, andpoly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10 repeating units.
 19. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁ methyl, X is oxygen and R is selectedfrom C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substituted alkyl, and poly(ethyleneglycol) having 2-20 repeating units.
 20. The silicone hydrogel of claim2 wherein at least one R₁₄ is 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl.
 21. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₃ is selected from C₁-C₆ alkylene groupswhich may be substituted with ether, hydroxyl and combinations thereof.22. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₃ is selected from C₁ orC₃₋₆ alkylene groups which may be substituted with ether, hydroxyl andcombinations thereof.
 23. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein a is7 to
 30. 24. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁₆ is H ormethyl.
 25. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein saidmonomethacryloxyalkylpolydimethylsiloxane methacrylate is selected fromthe group consisting of monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-butylterminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropyl terminatedmono-n-methyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropylterminated mono-n-butyl terminated polydiethylsiloxane,monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-methyl terminatedpolydiethylsiloxane, N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyltetra(dimethylsiloxy) dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide;α-(2-hydroxy-1-methacryloxypropyloxypropyl)-w-butyl-octamethylpentasiloxaneand mixtures thereof.
 26. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein saidmonomethacryloxyalkylpolydimethylsiloxane methacrylate is selected fromthe group consisting of monomethacryloxypropyl terminated mono-n-butylterminated polydimethylsiloxane, monomethacryloxypropyl terminatedmono-n-methyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane,N-(2,3-dihydroxypropane)-N′-(propyl tetra(dimethylsiloxy)dimethylbutylsilane)acrylamide.
 27. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2wherein R₁ is H or methyl, X is oxygen and R is selected from C₂-C₄ monoor dihydroxy substituted alkyl, and poly(ethylene glycol) having 1-10repeating units.
 28. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R₁ methyl,X is oxygen and R is selected from C₂-C₄ mono or dihydroxy substitutedalkyl, and poly(ethylene glycol) having 2-20 repeating units.
 29. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein R is 2-hydroxyethyl,2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl.
 30. The silicone hydrogel of claim2 wherein said hydroxyalkyl monomer is selected from the groupconsisting of 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate,1-hydroxypropyl-2-(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propyl(meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl (meth)acrylate,4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, glycerol (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylamide, polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate,bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) (meth)acrylamide, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl(meth)acrylamide, and mixtures thereof.
 31. The silicone hydrogel ofclaim 2 wherein said hydroxyalkyl monomer is selected from the groupconsisting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycerol methacrylate,2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl methacrylate,3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. 32.The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein said hydroxyalkyl monomercomprises 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propylmethacrylate, glycerol methacrylate and mixtures comprising them. 33.The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 further comprising a Dk of at leastabout
 60. 34. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 further comprising a Dkof at least about
 80. 35. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 furthercomprising a water content of at least about 55%.
 36. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 further comprising a water content of at least about60%.
 37. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 further comprising anadvancing contact angle of less than about 80°.
 38. The siliconehydrogel of claim 2 further comprising a % haze of less than about 50%.39. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 further comprising a % haze of lessthan about 10%.
 40. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 further comprisinga modulus of less than about 120 psi.
 41. The silicone hydrogel of claim2 further comprising a modulus of about 100 psi or less.
 42. Thesilicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein the hydroxyalkyl monomer comprisesGMMA and the reaction mixture further comprises t-amyl alcohol as adiluent.
 43. The silicone hydrogel of claim 2 wherein said reactionmixture further comprises at least one slow reacting crosslinker and atleast one fast reacting crosslinker.
 44. The silicone hydrogel of claim43 wherein said at least one slow reacting crosslinker and at least onefast reacting crosslinker are each present in said reaction mixture inamounts between about 0.3 to about 2.0 mmol/100 g of polymerizablecomponents.
 45. The silicone hydrogel of claim 43 wherein said at leastone slow reacting crosslinker and at least one fast reacting crosslinkerare each present in said reaction mixture in amounts between about 0.1to about 0.2 wt %. 46-47. (canceled)
 48. The silicone hydrogel of claim2 wherein said reaction mixture comprises about 37 to about 70 wt % slowreacting monomer.